Thin mesoporous polyaniline films manifesting a water-promoted photovoltaic effect

0392162 - ÚMCH 2014 RIV SK eng J - Journal Article
Gospodinova, Natalia - Tomšík, Elena - Romanova, J.
Thin mesoporous polyaniline films manifesting a water-promoted photovoltaic effect.
Chemical Papers. Roč. 67, č. 8 (2013), s. 972-978. ISSN 0366-6352
R&D Projects: GA ČR GA202/09/1626
Institutional support: RVO:61389013
Keywords : polyaniline * morphology * photovoltaics
Subject RIV: JI - Composite Materials
Impact factor: 1.193, year: 2013

Photovoltaic cells composed of thin mesoporous polyaniline films sandwiched between an indium-tin oxide anode and aluminium cathode have been fabricated. The cells show an increase in the photo-generated open-circuit voltage (V oc) from 0.2 V to 0.6 V and stable-in-time V oc generation following the addition of water containing highly hydrated ions, e.g. tap water.We explain the waterpromoted photo-voltaic effect by the polarity of the water environment. Theoretical calculations show that increasing the solvent polarity increases the energy of the electronic transition related to the measured V oc. The stable-in-time V oc generation could be explained by the increase in the lifetime of the excitons as well as by their more efficient dissociation in the interpenetrating network of polyaniline and water. The penetration of water into the mesoporous polyaniline films is promoted by the presence of highly hydrated ions.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0221639