Nanocarbon-based photovoltaics

Simulation and Verification of the Direct Current Electric Field on Fabricating High Porosity f-MWCNTs Thin Films by Electrophoretic Deposition Technique

Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) is the potential process in high porosity thin films' fabrication or complex surface coating for perovskite photovoltaics. Here, the electrostatic simulation is introduced to optimize the EPD cell design for the cathodic EPD process based on functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs). The similarity between the thin film structure and the electric field simulation is evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) results. The thin-film surface at the edge has a higher roughness (Ra) compared to the center position (16.48 > 10.26 nm). The f-MWCNTs at the edge position tend to be twisted and bent due to the torque of the electric field. The Raman results show that f-MWCNTs with low defect density are more easily to be positively charged and deposited on the ITO surface. The distribution of oxygen and aluminum atoms in the thin film reveals that the aluminum atoms tend to have adsorption/electrostatic attraction to the interlayer defect positions of f-MWCNTs without individually depositing onto the cathode. Finally, this study can reduce the cost and time for the scale-up process by optimizing the input parameters for the complete cathodic electrophoretic deposition process through electric field inspection.

Non-negligible roles of charge transfer excitons in ultrafast excitation energy transfer dynamics of a double-walled carbon nanotube

Herein, we employed a developed linear response time dependent density functional theory-based nonadiabatic dynamics simulation method that explicitly takes into account the excitonic effects to investigate photoinduced excitation energy transfer dynamics of a double-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) model with different excitation energies. The E₁₁ excitation of the outer CNT will generate a local excitation (LE) |out*〉 exciton due to its low energy, which does not induce any charge separation. In contrast, the E₁₁ excitation of the inner CNT can generate four kinds of excitons with the LE exciton |in*〉 dominates. In the 500-fs dynamics simulation, the LE exciton |in*〉 and charge transfer (CT) excitons |out^-in⁺〉 and |out⁺in^-〉 are all gradually converted to the |out*〉 exciton, corresponding to a photoinduced excitation energy transfer, which is consistent with experimental studies. Finally, when the excitation energy is close to the E₂₂ state of the outer CNT (∼1.05 eV), a mixed population of different excitons, with the |out*〉 exciton dominated, is generated. Then, photoinduced energy transfer from the outer to inner CNTs occurs in the first 50 fs, which is followed by an inner to outer excitation energy transfer that is completed in 400 fs. The present work not only sheds important light on the mechanistic details of wavelength-dependent excitation energy transfer of a double-walled CNT model but also demonstrates the roles and importance of CT excitons in photoinduced excitation energy transfer. It also emphasized that explicitly including the excitonic effects in electronic structure calculations and nonadiabatic dynamics simulations is significant for correct understanding/rational design of optoelectronic properties of periodically extended systems.

Top-Down N-Doped Carbon Quantum Dots for Multiple Purposes: Heavy Metal Detection and Intracellular Fluorescence

In the present study, we successfully synthesized N-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) using a top-down approach, i.e., hydroxyl radical opening of fullerene with hydrogen peroxide, in basic ambient using ammonia for two different reaction times. The ensuing characterization via dynamic light scattering, SEM, and IR spectroscopy revealed a size control that was dependent on the reaction time, as well as a more pronounced -NH2 functionalization. The N-CQDs were probed for metal ion detection in aqueous solutions and during bioimaging and displayed a Cr3+ and Cu2+ selectivity shift at a higher degree of -NH2 functionalization, as well as HEK-293 cell nuclei marking.

Single-Layer Zirconium Dihalides ZrX2 (X = Cl, Br, and I) with Abnormal Ferroelastic Behavior and Strong Anisotropic Light Absorption Ability

Recently, two-dimensional (2D) metal halides have brought out an intensive interest for their unique mechanical, electronic, magnetic, and topological properties. Here, we theoretically report the existence of the single-layer (SL) zirconium dihalide materials ZrX₂ (X = Cl, Br, and I) using first-principles calculations. SL ZrX₂, which can be obtained from its bulk phase through simple mechanical exfoliation, shows the dynamic, thermodynamic, and mechanical stability. Halogen atoms can effectively tune the electronic structure, dipole moment transition, band alignment, and light absorption. Specifically, ZrX₂ monolayers intrinsically exhibit a ferroelasticity with an abnormal 120° orientation rotation, possessing a moderate switching barrier of 24-39 meV/atom. Importantly, we observe superior anisotropic light absorption responses on SL ZrX₂ in the visible region. Besides, a series of ZrX₂-based excitonic solar cells have been proposed, which hold a large power conversion efficiency limit of 12.4-18.7%.

Semiconducting MnB5monolayer as a potential photovoltaic material

Exploring new two-dimensional (2D) materials is of great significance for both basic research and practical applications. Although boron can form various 3D and 2D allotropes due to its ease of forming multi-center bonds, the coexistence of honeycomb and kagome boron structures has never been observed in any 2D material yet. In this article we apply first-principle swarm structural searches to predict the existence of a stable MnB₅structure, consisting of a sandwich of honeycomb and kagome borophenes. More interestingly, a MnB₅nanosheet is a semiconductor with a band gap of 1.07 eV and a high optical absorption in a broad band, which satisfies the requirements of a very good photovoltaic material. Upon moderate strain, MnB₅undergoes a conversion from an indirect to a direct band gap semiconductor. The power conversion efficiency of a heterostructure solar cell made of MnB₅is up to 18%. The MnB₅nanosheet shows a robust dynamical and thermal stability, stemming from the presence of intra- and interlayer multi-center σ and π bonds. These characteristics make MnB₅a promising photovoltaic material.

Realization of Poly(methyl methacrylate)-Encapsulated Solution-Processed Carbon-Based Solar Cells: An Emerging Candidate for Buildings' Comfort

The self-assembling characteristics allow carbon nanomaterials to be readily explored, environmentally benign, solution-processed, low-cost, and efficient solar light-harvesting materials. An effort has been made to replace the regular photovoltaic device’s electrodes by different carbon allotrope-based electrodes. Sequential fabrication of carbon solar cells (SCs) was performed under ambient conditions, where FTO/graphene/single-walled carbon nanotubes/graphene quantum dots-fullerene/carbon black paste layers were assembled with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) as an encapsulating layer. The PMMA layer provides significant improvement toward the entry of water vapor, hence leading to stability up to 1000 h. The photoconversion efficiency of the PMMA-encapsulated carbon SC has been increased by ∼105% and the stability decreased by only ∼10% after 1000 h of exposure to environmental moisture. Besides, the building integrated photovoltaic window properties achieved using this carbon SC were also investigated by using the color rendering index and the correlated color temperature, which can have an impact on the buildings’ occupants’ comfort. This study leads to an extensive integration to improve carbon-based materials because of their effective and useful but less-explored characteristics suitable for potential photovoltaic applications.

Two-dimensional Blue-AsP monolayers with tunable direct band gap and ultrahigh carrier mobility show promising high-performance photovoltaic properties

The successful fabrication of black phosphorene (Black-P) in 2014 and subsequent synthesis of layered black As1-xPx alloys have inspired research into two-dimensional (2D) binary As-P compounds. The very recent success in growing blue phosphorene (Blue-P) further motivated exploration of 2D Blue-AsP materials. Here, using ab initio swarm-intelligence global minimum structure-searching methods, we have obtained a series of novel and energetically favored 2D Blue-AsP (denoted x-AsP, x = I, II, III, IV, V) compounds with As : P = 1 : 1 stoichiometry. They display similar honeycomb structures to Blue-P. Remarkably, the lowest-energy AsP monolayer, namely I-AsP, not only possesses a quasi-direct band gap (2.41 eV), which can be tuned to a direct and optimal gap for photovoltaic applications by in-plane strain, but also has an ultrahigh electronic mobility up to ∼7.4 × 104 cm2 V-1 s-1, far surpassing that of Blue-P, and also exhibits high absorption coefficients (×105 cm-1). Our simulations also show that 30 nm-thick I-AsP sheet-based cells have photovoltaic efficiency as high as ∼12%, and the I-AsP/CdSe heterostructure solar cells possess a power conversion efficiency as high as ∼13%. All these outstanding characteristics suggest the I-AsP sheet as a promising material for high-efficiency solar cells.

Experimental Study on Characteristics of Grinded Graphene Nanofluids with Surfactants

In earlier studies, much research has focused on increasing the efficiency of heat exchanger fields. Therefore, in this study, graphene nanofluid was fabricated for use as a heat transfer medium for a heat exchanger. Graphene has excellent electrical conductivity, mechanical properties, and heat transfer properties. It is expected that the heat transfer efficiency will be improved by fabricating the nanofluid. However, graphene is prone to sedimentation, because of its cohesion due to van der Waals binding force. In this experiment, a nanofluid was fabricated with enhanced dispersibility by surfactant and the ball-milling process. The zeta potential, absorbance, and thermal conductivity of the nanofluid were measured. As a result, when using the ratio of 2:1 (graphene:sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)), a higher thermal conductivity was obtained than in other conditions.

Universal Selective Dispersion of Semiconducting Carbon Nanotubes from Commercial Sources Using a Supramolecular Polymer

Selective extraction of semiconducting carbon nanotubes is a key step in the production of high-performance, solution-processed electronics. Here, we describe the ability of a supramolecular sorting polymer to selectively disperse semiconducting carbon nanotubes from five commercial sources with diameters ranging from 0.7 to 2.2 nm. The sorting purity of the largest-diameter nanotubes (1.4 to 2.2 nm; from Tuball) was confirmed by short channel measurements to be 97.5%. Removing the sorting polymer by acid-induced disassembly increased the transistor mobility by 94 and 24% for medium-diameter and large-diameter carbon nanotubes, respectively. Among the tested single-walled nanotube sources, the highest transistor performance of 61 cm²/V·s and on/off ratio >10⁴ were realized with arc discharge carbon nanotubes with a diameter range from 1.2 to 1.7 nm. The length and quality of nanotubes sorted from different sources is compared using measurements from atomic force microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The transistor mobility is found to correlate with the G/D ratio extracted from the Raman spectra.

Spectroscopic Insights into Carbon Dot Systems

The controversial nature of the fluorescent properties of carbon dots (CDs), ascribed either to surface states or to small molecules adsorbed onto the carbon nanostructures, is an unresolved issue. To date, an accurate picture of CDs and an exhaustive structure-property correlation are still lacking. Using two unconventional spectroscopic techniques, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (TREPR), we contribute to fill this gap. Although electron micrographs indicate the presence of carbon cores, FCS reveals that the emission properties of CDs are based neither on those cores nor on molecular species linked to them, but rather on free molecules. TREPR provides deeper insights into the structure of carbon cores, where C sp² domains are embedded within C sp³ scaffolds. FCS and TREPR prove to be powerful techniques, characterizing CDs as inherently heterogeneous systems, providing insights into the nature of such systems and paving the way to standardization of these nanomaterials.

Oligo(p-phenylene ethynylene) with Cyanoacrylate Terminal Groups and Graphene Composite as Fluorescent Chemical Sensor for Cysteine

A chemical sensor for cysteine (Cys) was fabricated based on a fluorescent oligo(p-phenylene ethynylene)s (OPEs) and OPE-graphene oxide (GO) composite. OPE with cyanoacrylate terminal groups were synthesized by a Pd-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling reaction and Knoevenagel condensation for use as a chemical sensor for Cys. The optical properties and Cys sensing capability of the cyanoacrylate modified OPE and OPE-GO composite were investigated. In addition of Cys, the fluorescence of OPE was blue-shifted and decreased (fluorescence turn-off), while the fluorescence of the OPE-GO composite was enhanced (fluorescence turn-on). Thus, OPE with cyanoacrylate terminal groups and OPE-GO composite acts a highly sensitive fluorescent chemical sensor for Cys.

Optoelectronic Properties of Van Der Waals Hybrid Structures: Fullerenes on Graphene Nanoribbons

The search for new optical materials capable of absorbing light in the frequency range from visible to near infrared is of great importance for applications in optoelectronic devices. In this paper, we report a theoretical study of the electronic and optical properties of hybrid structures composed of fullerenes adsorbed on graphene and on graphene nanoribbons. The calculations are performed in the framework of the density functional theory including the van der Waals dispersive interactions. We found that the adsorption of the C 60 fullerenes on a graphene layer does not modify its low energy states, but it has strong consequences for its optical spectrum, introducing new absorption peaks in the visible energy region. The optical absorption of fullerenes and graphene nanoribbon composites shows a strong dependence on photon polarization and geometrical characteristics of the hybrid systems, covering a broad range of energies. We show that an external electric field across the nanoribbon edges can be used to tune different optical transitions coming from nanoribbon-fullerene hybridized states, which yields a very rich electro-absorption spectrum for longitudinally polarized photons. We have carried out a qualitative analysis on the potential of these hybrids as possible donor-acceptor systems in photovoltaic cells.

Surpassing the Exciton Diffusion Limit in Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Sensitized Solar Cells

Semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube (s-SWNT) light sensitized devices, such as infrared photodetectors and solar cells, have recently been widely reported. Despite their excellent individual electrical properties, efficient carrier transport from one carbon nanotube to another remains a fundamental challenge. Specifically, photovoltaic devices with active layers made from s-SWNTs have suffered from low efficiencies caused by three main challenges: the overwhelming presence of high-bandgap polymers in the films, the weak bandgap offset between the LUMO of the s-SWNTs and the acceptor C₆₀, and the limited exciton diffusion length from one SWNT to another of around 5 nm that limits the carrier extraction efficiency. Herein, we employ a combination of processing and device architecture design strategies to address each of these transport challenges and fabricate photovoltaic devices with s-SWNT films well beyond the exciton diffusion limit of 5 nm. While our solution processing method minimizes the presence of undesired polymers in our active films, our interfacial designs led to a significant increase in current generation with the addition of a highly doped C₆₀ layer (n-doped C₆₀), resulting in increased carrier separation efficiency from the s-SWNTs films. We create a dense interconnected nanoporous mesh of s-SWNTs using solution shearing and infiltrate it with the acceptor C₆₀. Thus, our final engineered bulk heterojunction allows carriers from deep within to be extracted by the C₆₀ registering a 10-fold improvement in performance from our preliminary structures.

Functional Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Nanoengineered Networks for Organic- and Perovskite-Solar-Cell Applications

Carbon nanotubes have a variety of remarkable electronic and mechanical properties that, in principle, lend them to promising optoelectronic applications. However, the field has been plagued by heterogeneity in the distributions of synthesized tubes and uncontrolled bundling, both of which have prevented nanotubes from reaching their full potential. Here, a variety of recently demonstrated solution-processing avenues is presented, which may combat these challenges through manipulation of nanoscale structures. Recent advances in polymer-wrapping of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are shown, along with how the resulting nanostructures can selectively disperse tubes while also exploiting the favorable properties of the polymer, such as light-harvesting ability. New methods to controllably form nanoengineered SWNT networks with controlled nanotube placement are discussed. These nanoengineered networks decrease bundling, lower the percolation threshold, and enable a strong enhancement in charge conductivity compared to random networks, making them potentially attractive for optoelectronic applications. Finally, SWNT applications, to date, in organic and perovskite photovoltaics are reviewed, and insights as to how the aforementioned recent advancements can lead to improved device performance provided.

Rethinking Coal: Thin Films of Solution Processed Natural Carbon Nanoparticles for Electronic Devices

Disordered carbon materials, both amorphous and with long-range order, have been used in a variety of applications, from conductive additives and contact materials to transistors and photovoltaics. Here we show a flexible solution-based method of preparing thin films with tunable electrical properties from suspensions of ball-milled coals following centrifugation. The as-prepared films retain the rich carbon chemistry of the starting coals with conductivities ranging over orders of magnitude, and thermal treatment of the resulting films further tunes the electrical conductivity in excess of 7 orders of magnitude. Optical absorption measurements demonstrate tunable optical gaps from 0 to 1.8 eV. Through low-temperature conductivity measurements and Raman spectroscopy, we demonstrate that variable range hopping controls the electrical properties in as-prepared and thermally treated films and that annealing increases the sp(2) content, localization length, and disorder. The measured hopping energies demonstrate electronic properties similar to amorphous carbon materials and reduced graphene oxide. Finally, Joule heating devices were fabricated from coal-based films, and temperatures as high as 285 °C with excellent stability were achieved.

Synthesis and applications of carbon nanomaterials for energy generation and storage

The world is facing an energy crisis due to exponential population growth and limited availability of fossil fuels. Over the last 20 years, carbon, one of the most abundant materials found on earth, and its allotrope forms such as fullerenes, carbon nanotubes and graphene have been proposed as sources of energy generation and storage because of their extraordinary properties and ease of production. Various approaches for the synthesis and incorporation of carbon nanomaterials in organic photovoltaics and supercapacitors have been reviewed and discussed in this work, highlighting their benefits as compared to other materials commonly used in these devices. The use of fullerenes, carbon nanotubes and graphene in organic photovoltaics and supercapacitors is described in detail, explaining how their remarkable properties can enhance the efficiency of solar cells and energy storage in supercapacitors. Fullerenes, carbon nanotubes and graphene have all been included in solar cells with interesting results, although a number of problems are still to be overcome in order to achieve high efficiency and stability. However, the flexibility and the low cost of these materials provide the opportunity for many applications such as wearable and disposable electronics or mobile charging. The application of carbon nanotubes and graphene to supercapacitors is also discussed and reviewed in this work. Carbon nanotubes, in combination with graphene, can create a more porous film with extraordinary capacitive performance, paving the way to many practical applications from mobile phones to electric cars. In conclusion, we show that carbon nanomaterials, developed by inexpensive synthesis and process methods such as printing and roll-to-roll techniques, are ideal for the development of flexible devices for energy generation and storage - the key to the portable electronics of the future.

Co-assembled hybrids of proteins and carbon dots for intracellular protein delivery

Co-assembled hybrids of carbon dots and proteins protect proteins against enzymatic hydrolysis and deliver them into HeLa cells.

Neutral-Color Semitransparent Organic Solar Cells with All-Graphene Electrodes

Graphene has been considered as a promising material for transparent electrodes due to its advantages including ultrahigh carrier mobilities, high optical transmittance, excellent mechanical flexibility, and good stability. Solar cells with all-graphene electrodes are potentially low-cost, high-performance, and environmental friendly, which however have not been realized until now. Here, we report the fabrication of semitransparent organic photovoltaics (OPVs) with graphene transparent electrodes as both cathode and anode, which can absorb light from both sides with the power conversion efficiency up to 3.4%. Meanwhile, the OPVs have a neutral color and show the transmittance of ∼40% in the visible region, making them suitable for some special applications, such as power-generating windows and building integrated photovoltaics. This work demonstrates the great potential of graphene for the applications in carbon-based optoelectronic devices.

Understanding charge transfer in carbon nanotube-fullerene bulk heterojunctions

Semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube/fullerene bulk heterojunctions exhibit unique optoelectronic properties highly suitable for flexible, efficient, and robust photovoltaics and photodetectors. We investigate charge-transfer dynamics in inverted devices featuring a polyethylenimine-coated ZnO nanowire array infiltrated with these blends and find that trap-assisted recombination dominates transport within the blend and at the active layer/nanowire interface. We find that electrode modifiers suppress this recombination, leading to high performance.

Hybrids of copolymers of fluorene and C60 -carrying-carbazole with semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes

Three different copolymers of C60 -carrying-carbazole and fluorene units with different copolymer composition ratios were designed and synthesized. On the basis of photoluminescence, atomic force microscopy, and Vis-NIR and Raman spectroscopic analysis, we found that these copolymers solubilize only semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (sem-SWNTs) to form copolymer/sem-SWNT hybrids, in which energy transfer from the copolymer/C60 moieties to the SWNTs was revealed. By comparing two possible hybrid structures with molecular-mechanics simulations, the greatest stabilization was found when the C60 moieties lay on the sem-SWNT surfaces.

Pyrene-based mechanically interlocked SWNTs

Pyrene serves as a recognition motif to template the synthesis of mechanically interlocked derivatives of SWNTs.

Phase aggregation and morphology effects on nanocarbon optoelectronics

Controllable morphology and interfacial interactions within bulk heterojunction nanostructures show significant effects on optoelectronic device applications. In this study, a nanocarbon heterojunction, consisting of single-walled carbon nanotubes (s-SWCNTs) and fullerene derivatives, is reported by assembling/blending its structures through solution-based processes. A uniform and dense graphene oxide hole transport layer is used to facilitate the photoconversion at a near infrared (NIR) wavelength. Effective interfacial interaction between the s-SWCNTs and fullerene is suggested by the redshifted photoabsorption and nanoscale/micron-scale fluorescence, which is associated with self-assembled nanocarbon morphology.

Polychiral semiconducting carbon nanotube-fullerene solar cells

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have highly desirable attributes for solution-processable thin-film photovoltaics (TFPVs), such as broadband absorption, high carrier mobility, and environmental stability. However, previous TFPVs incorporating photoactive SWCNTs have utilized architectures that have limited current, voltage, and ultimately power conversion efficiency (PCE). Here, we report a solar cell geometry that maximizes photocurrent using polychiral SWCNTs while retaining high photovoltage, leading to record-high efficiency SWCNT-fullerene solar cells with average NREL certified and champion PCEs of 2.5% and 3.1%, respectively. Moreover, these cells show significant absorption in the near-infrared portion of the solar spectrum that is currently inaccessible by many leading TFPV technologies.

Semiconducting carbon nanotube aerogel bulk heterojunction solar cells

Using a novel two-step fabrication scheme, we create highly semiconducting-enriched single-walled carbon nanotube (sSWNT) bulk heterojunctions (BHJs) by first creating highly porous interconnected sSWNT aerogels (sSWNT-AEROs), followed by back-filling the pores with [6,6]-phenyl-C(71)-butyric acid methyl ester (PC(71)BM). We demonstrate sSWNT-AERO structures with density as low as 2.5 mg cm(-3), porosity as high as 99.8%, and diameter of sSWNT fibers ≤ 10 nm. Upon spin coating with PC(71)BM, the resulting sSWNT-AERO-PC(71)BM nanocomposites exhibit highly quenched sSWNT photoluminescence, which is attributed to the large interfacial area between the sSWNT and PC(71)BM phases, and an appropriate sSWNT fiber diameter that matches the inter-sSWNT exciton migration length. Employing the sSWNT-AERO-PC(71)BM BHJ structure, we report optimized solar cells with a power conversion efficiency of 1.7%, which is exceptional among polymer-like solar cells in which sSWNTs are designed to replace either the polymer or fullerene component. A fairly balanced photocurrent is achieved with 36% peak external quantum efficiency (EQE) in the visible and 19% peak EQE in the near-infrared where sSWNTs serve as electron donors and photoabsorbers. Our results prove the effectiveness of this new method in controlling the sSWNT morphology in BHJ structures, suggesting a promising route towards highly efficient sSWNT photoabsorbing solar cells.

Charge-transfer induced magnetic field effects of nano-carbon heterojunctions

Room temperature magnetic field effects have not been definitively observed in either single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) or C₆₀ under a small magnetic field due to their weak hyperfine interaction and slight difference of g-factor between positive and negative polarons. Here, we demonstrate charge-transfer induced magnetic field effects in nano-carbon C₆₀-SWCNT bulk heterojunctions at room temperature, where the mechanism of magnetic field effects is verified using excited state transition modeling. By controlling SWCNT concentrations and interfacial interactions, nano-carbon heterojunctions exhibit tunability of charge-transfer density and room temperature magnetoconductance of 2.8% under 100 mT external magnetic field. External stimuli, such as electric field and photoexcitation, also play an important role in controlling the magnetic field effects of nano-carbon heterojunctions, which suggests that these findings could enable the control of optoelectronic properties of nano-carbon heterojunctions.

Diffusion-assisted photoexcitation transfer in coupled semiconducting carbon nanotube thin films

We utilize femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy to study dynamics of photoexcitation migration in films of semiconducting single-wall carbon nanotubes. Films of nanotubes in close contact enable energy migration such as needed in photovoltaic and electroluminescent devices. Two types of films composed of nanotube fibers are utilized in this study: densely packed and very porous. By comparing exciton kinetics in these films, we characterize excitation transfer between carbon nanotubes inside fibers versus between fibers. We find that intrafiber transfer takes place in both types of films, whereas interfiber transfer is greatly suppressed in the porous one. Using films with different nanotube composition, we are able to test several models of exciton transfer. The data are inconsistent with models that rely on through-space interfiber energy transfer. A model that fits the experimental results postulates that interfiber transfer occurs only at intersections between fibers, and the excitons reach the intersections by diffusing along the long-axis of the tubes. We find that time constants for the inter- and intrafiber transfers are 0.2-0.4 and 7 ps, respectively. In total, hopping between fibers accounts for about 60% of all exciton downhill transfer prior to 4 ps in the dense film. The results are discussed with regards to transmission electron micrographs of the films. This study provides a rigorous analysis of the photophysics in this new class of promising materials for photovoltaics and other technologies.

Nano-engineering of SWNT networks for enhanced charge transport at ultralow nanotube loading

We demonstrate a simple and controllable method to form periodic arrays of highly conductive nano-engineered single wall carbon nanotube networks from solution. These networks increase the conductivity of a polymer composite by as much as eight orders of magnitude compared to a traditional random network. These nano-engineered networks are demonstrated in both polystyrene and polythiophene polymers.

A back-to-back MOS-Schottky (Pt-SiO2-Si-C-Pt) nano-heterojunction device as an efficient self-powered photodetector: one step fabrication by pulsed laser deposition

An efficient self-powered photodetector design involving a C-Si hetero-interface with back-to-back MOS-Schottky (Pt-SiO2-Si-C-Pt) device action is presented. Pulsed laser deposition of a carbon thin film is used which dynamically removes the native surface oxide to form the desired Schottky interface. The combined device action yields two orders of magnitude photoresponse at zero bias.

Carbon nanotube-based heterostructures for solar energy applications

One means of combining the unique physical and chemical properties of both carbon nanotubes and complementary material motifs (such as metal sulfide quantum dots (QDs), metal oxide nanostructures, and polymers) can be achieved by generating carbon nanotube (CNT)-based heterostructures. These materials can be subsequently utilized as novel and interesting constituent building blocks for the assembly of functional light energy harvesting devices and because of their architectural and functional flexibility, can potentially open up novel means of using and taking advantage of existing renewable energy sources. In this review, we present the reliable and reproducible synthesis of several unique model CNT-based heterostructured systems as well as include an accompanying discussion about the charge transfer and energy flow properties of these materials for their potential incorporation into a range of practical solar energy conversion devices.

On the upconversion fluorescence in carbon nanodots and graphene quantum dots

So-called upconversion fluorescence in CNDs and GQDs is confirmed originating from a measurement mistake; therefore cross-check is very necessary.

Electron-accepting phthalocyanine–pyrene conjugates: towards liquid phase exfoliation of graphite and photoactive nanohybrid formation with graphene

Exfoliation of graphite by ultrasonication in the presence of electron-accepting pyrene–phthalocyanines and photophysical characterization of the resulting nanoconjugate are reported.

SiC2 siligraphene and nanotubes: novel donor materials in excitonic solar cells

In excitonic solar cells (XSC), power conversion efficiency (PCE) depends critically on the interface band alignment between donor and acceptor materials. Graphene or silicene is not suitable for donor materials due to their semimetallic features (zero band gaps); it is therefore highly desired to open an energy gap in graphene or silicene to extend their application in optoelectronic devices, especially in photovoltaics. In this paper, based on the global particle-swarm optimization algorithm and the density functional theory methods, we predict a novel SiC2 siligraphene (g-SiC2) with a direct band gap of 1.09 eV showing infinite planar geometry, in which Si and C atoms adopt sp(2) hybridization and C atoms form delocalized 4 C-domains that are periodically separated by Si atoms. Such a g-SiC2 siligraphene (with a global minimum of energy) is 0.41 eV/atom lower and thermally stabler than the isomeric pt-SiC2 silagraphene containing planar 4-fold coordinated silicon (3000 K vs 1000 K). Interestingly, the derivative (n, 0), (n, n) nanotubes (with diameters greater than 8.0 Å) have band gaps about 1.09 eV, which are independent of the chirality and diameter. Besides, a series of g-SiC2/GaN bilayer and g-SiC2 nanotube/ZnO monolayer XSCs have been proposed, which exhibit considerably high PCEs in the range of 12-20%.

Charge transfer structure-reactivity dependence of fullerene-single-walled carbon nanotube heterojunctions

Charge transfer at the interface between single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) of distinct chiral vectors and fullerenes of various molecular weights is of interest both fundamentally and because of its importance in emerging photovoltaic and optoelectronic devices. One approach for generating isolated, discretized fullerene-SWCNT heterojunctions for spectroscopic investigation is to form an amphiphile, which is able to disperse the latter at the single-SWCNT level in aqueous solution. Herein, we synthesize a series of methanofullerene amphiphiles, including derivatives of C60, C70, and C84, and investigated their electron transfer with SWCNT of specific chirality, generating a structure-reactivity relationship. In the cases of two fullerene derivatives, lipid-C61-polyethylene glycol (PEG) and lipid-C71-PEG, band gap dependent, incomplete quenching was observed across all SWCNT species, indicating that the driving force for electron transfer is small. This is further supported by a variant of Marcus theory, which predicts that the energy offsets between the nanotube conduction bands and the C61 and C71 LUMO levels are less than the exciton binding energy in SWCNT. In contrast, upon interfacing nanotubes with C85 methanofullerene, a complete quenching of all semiconducting SWCNT is observed. This enhancement in quenching efficiency is consistent with the deeper LUMO level of C85 methanofullerene in comparison with the smaller fullerene adducts, and suggests its promise as for SWCNT-fullerene heterojunctions.

Broad-spectral-response nanocarbon bulk-heterojunction excitonic photodetectors

High-performance broad-spectrum nanocarbon bulk-heterojunction photovoltaic photodetectors are reported. These reported photodetectors consist of a semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube (s-SWCNT) and a PC71 BM blended active layer. Magnetic-field effects and the chirality of the s-SWCNTs play an important role in controlling the photoresponse time and photocurrent improvement.