Nano Engineered Organic-Inorganic Material Systems for Photovoltaics

Organic-inorganic photovoltaic systems which attempt to integrate benefits of both material types in terms of ease of fabrication, stability and efficiency are reviewed. Three broad categories; inorganic-small molecule systems, carbon naotube incorporated organic photovoltaics and nanostructured organic surfaces-based photovoltaics have been discussed with reference to recent literature. Nanocrystal-organic systems are designed to improve broadband photon collection possibilty, nanostructred organic surfaces-based systems attempt to enhance exciton dissociation at the increased area interface. Incorporation of carbon nanotubes in donor-acceptor type photovoltaic systems have been shown as a technique to mitigate drawbacks from short carrier diffusion lengths of organic materials. The concepts present new opportunities for complex photovoltaic systems, which need to be cheap, large area and efficient in order to arrive at an economically viable level for mass uptake.