Hybrid solar cells based on bulk heterojunction films of conjugated polymers and single crystalline si nanowires

Hybrid solar cells were fabricated using bulk heterojunction (BHJ) films of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and n-type Si nanowires (n-Si NWs). The n-Si NWs were prepared by the chemical etching of n-Si (100) wafers and then detached physically. The hybrid BHJ films exhibited an extended optical absorption to the near infrared region. Although the photocurrent was successfully measured from the present hybrid solar cells, the overall performance was considerably low. The low photovoltaic performance has been attributed to the poor charge transport characteristics in the hybrid BHJ films.