Spin-coated P3HT: Aminated carbon microsphere composite films for polymer solar cells

Poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and aminated carbon microsphere (A-CMS) composite films with donor-acceptor architecture were prepared by spin-coating method, and the photovoltaic (PV) devices with a structure of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT:A-CMSs/Al were also fabricated. The structure and morphology of films were characterized by x-ray diffraction, Fourier transformation infrared spectrometry, ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, fluorescent spectrometry, and atomic force microscopy. The results indicate that A-CMSs exhibited a high LUMO energy level of -3.65 eV. The optimized blending ratio of P3HT:A-CMSs was 1:1. After annealing treatment, the intensity of absorption and the crystallization degree of the P3HT: A-CMS composite films enhanced. The polymer solar cells (PSCs) based on P3HT:A-CMS composite films showed a power conversion efficiency of 0.027% with an open circuit voltage of 0.80 V. It is suggested that A-CMS is a promising acceptor for PSCs. This would lay an experimental and theoretical foundation for the design of new acceptors for PV application.