Absorption spectra modification in poly(3-hexylthiophene):methanofullerene blend thin films

The absorption spectra and the photovoltaic effect in thin films consisting of a blend of p-type poly(3-hexylthiophene) and n-type acceptor [6,6]-phenyl C60 butyric acid methyl ester have been studied and a decrease in inter-band absorption in the wavelength range of 450-600 nm is observed. This absorption quenching is attributed to the disordering of the poly(3-hexylthiophene) chains and a charge transfer between poly(3-hexylthiophene) and [6,6]-phenyl C60 butyric acid methyl ester, as evidenced by FTIR and X-ray photoelectron spectra. Finally, photovoltaic cells were fabricated utilizing the blend as the active layer and the device characteristics were studied.