Charge transport in polythiophene:fullerene:nanotube bulk heterojunction photovoltaic devices investigated by impedance spectroscopy

P3HT:PCBM bulk heterojunction devices incorporating SWNTs, which are predominantly metallic in character, have been analyzed using impedance spectroscopy to understand the effect of SWNTs on their charge carrier transport properties. SWNTs reduce the effective lifetime of injected charge carriers. Frequency dependence of capacitance and conductance of P3HT:PCBM devices show monotonic variations without any clear peak positions. Simulations of the complex admittance of the P3HT:PCBM devices under trap free space charge limited current within the framework of Scher–Montrol theory are used to qualitatively show that such characteristics are a signature of charge transport which is highly dispersive in nature. The position of peak τpeak in the imaginary part of impedance Im(Z), which is essentially same as the first transition frequency of Cole–Cole plot, has a direct relation with the effective dc mobility of charge carriers which varies with dispersion parameters. Using the dc mobility values and the voltage variation of peak frequency of Im(Z), the ratio of τdc to τpeak has been calculated. The magnitude of this ratio is indicative of the degree of dispersiveness in transport. It has been shown that, SWNTs at low concentrations tend to reduce the dispersiveness in charge transport.

► Carrier lifetime calculated from impedance characteristics.
► Degree of dispersiveness from peak position of imaginary part of impedance.
►  Single walled carbon nanotubes reduce the effective lifetime of injected charge carriers.
► Single walled carbon nanotubes can reduce the dispersiveness in charge transport.
► Simulations with device parameters to corroborate experimental data.