Application of Carbon Nanotubes

In Solar Energy
Presented By:

Mai El Najjar
Bushra Luzon
Deepthi Muraleedharan
Xiaoxiao Zhang
Zohaib Ali
Agenda
▪Introduction
▪ Types of CNTs
▪ How CNTs work in solar cell?
▪ How photovoltaic cells work?
▪ Organic solar cell (OSC) mechanism

▪Material of OSC
▪Property of CNTs Material
▪Synthesis Method
▪Research Review
Carbon Nanotube?
*Discovered in 1991 by Lijima
*It has a unique materials properties.
*They are nearly One Dimensional
Structures.
*It’s a tube-shaped material, made of
carbon, having a diameter measuring on
the nanometer scale ranging between
1nm to 50 nm.
*A graphene sheet can be rolled up more
than one way as hexagonal mesh
connected with a covalent bonds,
producing different types of carbon
Nanotubes.
Two types of the CNT
Single Wall Multi-Wall
Carbon Carbon
Nanotube Nanotube
Single layer Multi-Layer
Catalyst is required Produced without Catalyst
Bulk synthesis is difficult as Bulk synthesis is easy
it required the atmospheric
conditions.
Purity is poor Purity is high
A chance of the defect is A chance of defect is less
more during but once occurred its
functionalization's difficult to improve
Less accumulations High accumulations
Easily to twisted and pliable Can not be easily to twisted
 How the CNT system works in
Solar Cells?
By given that active molecules in the systems and going through these species (nanotubes and polymer base
units) can readily interact potentially leading to ready charge transfer.
In organic photovoltaic (OPV) device applications the preferred diameter is up to 20 nm, and the typical
diameter of SWCNTs and MWNTs are in the range between the 2–10 nm and 5–100 nm, respectively.
Both carbon nanotubes and conducting polymers possess conjugated π-systems and the nature of the
electronic interaction is anticipated to occur via π-π stacking.

By choosing the matching material for CNT can also be very different including small molecules,
oligomers, polymers, quantum dots and semiconductors (bulk and nanostructure).
The most extensively studied structures utilized in CNT-based solar cell design are CNTs/small molecules
and CNTs/polymers, where CNTs act as an electron acceptor and light is absorbed through the CNT
complimentary element.
Research has been undertaken to incorporate carbon nanotubes, as a hole extraction layer in active layers
and as charge transport layer or electrode.
Figure 1. (a) Typical structure of a polymer based solar cell. (b) The operating mechanism of an
OPV with a model often presented for the network of the polymer and the acceptor. (Molecules
2014, 19)
Photovoltaics Cells Work?
Organic Solar Cell Mechanism
Organic Solar Cell (OSC)
Material
 Donors
1. Polythiophene & Its 2. Polymers with 2,1,3- 3. Pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1,4- 4. Benzo[1,2-b;4,5-
Derivatives [4] Benzothiadiazole (BT) [4] dione (DPP) Derivatives [4] b0]dithiophene-Based
Polymers (BDT) [4]
1.1) P3AT: 2.1) BT: 3.1) DPP & its derivatives: 4.1) BDT:
• Easily synthesized • widely used • strong absorption • synthesized easily
• highly conjugated • outstanding photovoltaic • good charge-carrier • Wide range band gap
polymers performance • synthesized easily + good
yield
1.2) P3HT: 2.2) PCPDTBT: 3.2) PDPP: 4.2) PBDTTPZ
• not broad absorption • first low band gap • 1.24 V • strong & broad
• Not good donor → polymer & used in PSCs • stable under ambient absorption band,
design P3HDTTT. • good hole mobility condition, • 0.2 V
• PCE 3.2 % • PCE 0.3 %.

1.3) P3HDTTT based device 2.3) DTBT-based conjugated 3.3) PTDPP 4.3) Other highly efficient
→ 0.24 V > P3HT-based polymers, • 1.30 V BDT-based photovoltaic
device • e- rich • PCE 4.7 % materials (PCE =7 %)
• Better photovoltaic
properties
 Acceptors
1. PCBM and the Likes [4] 2. Indene-C60 Bisadduct & Indene-C70 Bisadduct
(ICBA) [4]
Fullerene C60: • synthesized easily
• well-symmetric structure • Can obtain (ICMA) & indene-fullerene multiadduct
• good e- mobility
• its derivatives used as e- acceptors
• limited solubility in most organic solvents → improve
solubility & avoid severe phase separation of D/A blend,
[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PC60BM).
PC70BM: ICMA:
• stronger absorption & better PCE • has poor solubility in CB or DCB (limits photovoltaic
• C70 is expensive due to purification process (limits performance)
application).
ICBA:
• can easily dissolve into CB or DCB
Type-1 (PCBM) based device 0.6 V while Type-2 (ICBA) has 0.84 V
Type-2: PCE values: C60BA based device 5.44% while C70BA 5.64 %
Electrode
2 common materials:
1. indium tin oxide (ITO) (preferred) [5]
2. fluorine tin oxide (FTO) (less effective) [5]
significant issue: [5]
• it is rare & production <500 ton/year (not sufficient).
• high quality is expensive, not solution processed & rigid (limit applications).
• unstable in the presence of acids & bases (diffuse into electrolyte thereby reducing efficiency).
Need to develop: Electrodes based on abundant elements that are easily processed & sustainable materials
CNTs are considered promising replacement for conventional ITO
Factors Affecting OSC Efficiency
OSCs: low PCE & short-life compared SSCs → limits application [6]
A) short lifetime is due to degradation of active layers & electrodes. [6]
A.1) Chemical degradation:
chemical changes within organic materials or on the electrodes due to the presence of O2 & moisture. [6]
A.2) Physical degradation:
charge accumulation, morphological changes or diffusion of metal into the active layer. Electrodes degrade by
oxidation, delaminating, dedoping & interfacial organometallic chemistry. 63]
A.3) Active layers degrade:
via photochemical reaction, thermochemical reaction, morphological changes & impurities.
active layer with chemically active side groups is more susceptible to degradation [6]
A.4) Degradation: also due to low photo-stability of active layer– electrode interface [6]

B) Factor reduce PCE in OSCs is the recombination mechanisms that occur at D–A interface.
→methods developed to minimize recombination: [6]
1. improving device morphology 3. using modified D–A materials
2. enhancing optical absorption 4. manipulating electrode materials
Properties of Carbon
Nanotubes
Properties of CNT that make them
useful for Organic solar cells
➢Good Conducting

➢Flexibility

➢Low Resistivity

➢Enhance the strength of the polymer considerably

➢Excellent thermal conductivity

➢Transparency
Advantages of Carbon Nanotube in
Organic Solar Cells
In Organic Solar Cells Carbon nanotubes are used as

➢ Hole extraction layer Advantages of Carbon Nanotube in Organic Solar Cells

➢ Active layer

➢ Electrode

Advantages in processability

➢Can be processed at plastic compatible temperatures

➢Wettability on different surfaces imparted by surface modifications and using additives

CNTs as Hole Extraction Layer /
Transparent Conducting Electrode
➢Transparent and highly conductive

➢Charge collection from a large surface area

➢Good heat dissipation on exposure to light

➢High level of electronic mobility

➢High work function

CNTs in the Active Layer
➢CNT is functionalized to improve incorporation of CNTs in polymer layers.

➢Provide extended electron – hole pair lifetime and rapid charge transport

➢The thermal conductivity is five times higher than copper and will be important to enhance
OPV cell lifetime
Synthesis and Methods

Processing of
Purification and
Synthesis of CNT CNT/polymer Film deposition
functionalization
composite
 Synthesis of CNT

• Large scale • High T requirement • Low physical

production • Diameter of SWNT requirements
(50Kg/day) can be controlled by • High defect density in
• Production of MWNT temperature SWNT (50% - 70%)
without catalyst • Relative low defect
density
Chemical Vapor
Electric Arc Discharge Laser Ablation
Decomposition (CVD)
Purification of CNT
Main impurities
Carbon impurities (e.g.: amorphous carbon, Fullerene, polyhedral carbon)
Metal catalysts (e.g.: Ni and Co nanoparticles)

– General methods of purification

• Gas phase oxidation
• Acid treatment
• Thermal treatment
• Ultrasonification
Functionalization of CNT
Goal: improving solubility and adding specific properties.
Approach: attaching proper residue to CNTs.

Covalent binding: increase mechanical and electronic property

Non-covalent binding: π-π binding
Encapsulation: diffusion of derivative
Processing of CNT/polymer composites
(a). Solution processing
• Energetic and mechanical agitation
• Evaporation

(b). Melting processing

• Good for insoluble polymers
• Most compatible method

(c). In-situ processing

• Good for thermally unstable polymers
• High CNT wt%
 Film Deposition Method

Spin coating Knife coating and slot-die Spray coating Dip coating
coating
Carbon Nanotubes Research
Research Review
➢Consideration of using sustainable technology to generate electricity from renewable
resources. [8,12]

➢Silicon solar cells have high efficiency but with high production costs. Organic polymeric
materials have been considered an alternative. [9,12]

➢Carbon nanotubes provides main advantages relating to mechanical properties and electrical
properties.
Challenges for CNTs
➢Continuous improvement made on improving efficiency of organic solar cells.

➢Methods on improving the integration between anode and the carbon nanotube to enhance
more distribution of electrons.

➢Purification of CNTs to prevent contamination reducing efficiency.

Purification of CNTs
➢The main problem associated with CNTs is impurities including graphite, amorphous carbon,
metal catalyst and fullerenes.

➢Purification is categorized into chemical and physical means. [10]

➢Different physical treatment methods in consideration include filtration and size exclusion
chromatography. [10]
Future Research
➢Continuous research is conducted on integrating carbon nanotubes with composite materials
to improve efficiency of solar cell.

➢Research is also made on forming right combination of carbon nanotubes with material that
result less impact towards the environment and health.

➢The science and application of carbon nanotubes will continue to develop frontier of
nanotechnology in many years to come.
 References
1. N .Valentin, Popov, Mat Sci and Engg R 43, 61, 2004.

2. H. W. Kroto, J. R. Heath, S. C. O'Brien, R. F. Curl & R. E. Smalley, C60: Buckminsterfullerene, Nature 318, 162 - 163 14 November 1985.

3. E.N.Ganesh. Single Walled and Multi Walled Carbon Nanotube Structure, Synthesis and Applications. International Journal of Innovative Technology and
Exploring Engineering (IJITEE) ISSN: 2278-3075,Volume-2, Issue-4, March 2013

4. Hou, J. and Guo, X. ‘Chapter-2 Active Layer Materials for Organic Solar Cells.’ Molecules Journal. 2014.

5. Alturaif, H., Alothman, Z., Shapter ,J. and Wabaidur, S. ‘Use of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) with Polymers in Solar Cells.’

6. Keru, G., Ndungu, P. and Nyamori, V. ‘A review on carbon nanotube/polymer composites for organic solar cells.’ International Journal of Energy Research.
2014
7. Askari, M.B. (2014, 28TH April). Introduction to Organic Solar Cell. Sustainable Energy. 2(3). pp. 85-90. DOI: 10.12691/rse-2-3-2

8. Bharam, V. (2012, 4th May). Solar Energy Materials for Photovoltaic Cell: The advantages and challenges of silicon in the photovoltaic cells. Retrieved from
http://commons.trincoll.edu/vbharam/files/2013/03/Final-Paper-Vishal-Bharam-_Silicon-in-Photovoltaic-Cell.pdf

9. Ismail, A.F., Tee, J.C., Goh, P., and Aziz, M.(2008, June).A review of purification techniques for carbon nanotubes. Nano Brief Reports and Reviews. DOI:
10.1142/S1793292008000927

10. Size Exclusion Chromatography. (n.d.). Tissue Group. Retrieved from http://www.tissuegroup.chem.vt.edu/chem-ed/sep/lc/size-exc.html

11. Razzaq, O.A., Saini, V., Bourdo, S., Dervishi, E., and Biris, A.S. (2013, 25th February). Organic Solar Cells: A Review of Materials, Limitations, and Possibilities for Improvement.
Particulate Science and Technology. 31(5). DOI: 10.1080/02726351.2013.769470