Toward organic thick film solar cells: Three dimensional bulk heterojunction organic thick film solar cell using fullerene single crystal nanorods

Fullerene single crystal nanorods (C₆₀-nanorods) are synthesized by simple liquid/liquid interface precipitation method. Three dimensional bulk heterojunction donor-acceptor-type organic thick film solar cell is demonstrated having an active layer made from C₆₀-nanorods and regioregular poly(3-octylthiophene). C₆₀-nanorods seem to be promising material for organic solar cell applications. Our preliminary results opens an area of “organic thick film solar cells” which was almost thought to be impossible due to lower mobility of charge carriers and small exciton diffusion lengths in most of the organic materials, including small molecules and conjugated polymers.