Hybrid solar cell with TiO2 film: BBOT polymer and copper phthalocyanine as sensitizer

Abstract

An organic-inorganic hybrid solar cell was fabricated using Titanium dioxide (TiO2): 2,5-bis(5-tert-butyl-2-benzoxazolyl) thiophene (BBOT) film and Copper Phthalocyanine (CuPc) as a sensitizer. BBOT was used in photodetector in other reported research works, but as per best of our knowledge, it was not implemented in solar cells till date. The blend of TiO2: BBOT blend was used to fabricate the film on ITO-coated glass and further a thin layer of CuPc was coated on the film. This was acted as photoanode and another ITO coated glass with a platinum coating was used as a counter electrode (cathode). An optimal blend of acetonitrile (solvent) (50-100%), 1,3-dimethylimidazolium iodide (10-25%), iodine (2.5-10%) and lithium iodide, pyridine derivative and thiocyanate was used as electrolytes in the hybrid solar cell. The different structural, optical and electrical characteristics were measured. The Hybrid solar cell showed a maximum conversion efficiency of 6.51%.