Communication

New Photovoltaic Concept: Liquid-Crystal Solar Cells Using a Nematic Gel Template†

  1. M. Carrasco-Orozco1,
  2. W. C. Tsoi1,
  3. M. O'Neill1,
  4. M. P. Aldred2,
  5. P. Vlachos2,
  6. S. M. Kelly2

Article first published online: 27 JUN 2006

DOI: 10.1002/adma.200502008

Issue

Advanced Materials

Advanced Materials

Volume 18, Issue 13, pages 1754–1758, July, 2006

Additional Information

How to Cite

Carrasco-Orozco, M., Tsoi, W. C., O'Neill, M., Aldred, M. P., Vlachos, P. and Kelly, S. M. (2006), New Photovoltaic Concept: Liquid-Crystal Solar Cells Using a Nematic Gel Template. Adv. Mater., 18: 1754–1758. doi: 10.1002/adma.200502008

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Physics, University of Hull, Cottingham Rd., Hull, HU6 7RX, UK

  2. 2

    Department of Chemistry, University of Hull, Cottingham Rd., Hull, HU6 7RX, UK

  1. †

    G. Sowersby is thanked for technical support. We acknowledge the EPSRC for financial support.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 27 JUN 2006
  2. Article first published online: 27 JUN 2006
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 23 MAR 2006
  4. Manuscript Received: 21 SEP 2005

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Keywords:

  • Liquid crystals;
  • Photovoltaic devices;
  • Solar cells
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A photopolymerized nematic liquid-crystal gel, which is visible-light absorbing and electron-donating, is used to template a nanoporous surface. This forms a distributed interface to an overlying electron acceptor in the device. An electron-blocking layer lies between the gel and bottom electrode (see figure). An open-circuit voltage of 1.1 V and a power conversion efficiency of 0.6% are obtained for a monochromatic irradiance of 45 mW cm–2.

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