PPV/TiO2 hybrid composites prepared from PPV precursor reaction in aqueous media and their application in solar cells

• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2008.01.061
• Publication Date: 2008-02-02T12:18:58Z
• Authors: Mingqing Wang; Xiaogong Wang
• Keywords: Aqueous medium

Abstract In this work, poly(phenylene vinylene) (PPV) and TiO 2 nanocomposites containing different amounts of TiO 2 were prepared through PPV precursor reaction in aqueous media. The TiO 2 components were introduced into the systems by two methods, i.e. through in situ sol–gel reaction or by mixing commercially available TiO 2 nanoparticles with the PPV precursor before reaction. The composite prepared by mixing commercially available TiO 2 nanoparticles shows perfect crystal character of the anatase TiO 2 , but TiO 2 particles severely agglomerate in the PPV matrix. The composite prepared by introducing TiO 2 nanoparticles through the sol–gel reaction shows uniform nanoscale dispersion of anatase TiO 2 in PPV matrix. The UV–vis and FL spectroscopic analyses confirm the formation of the TiO 2 /PPV composites and reveal the enhanced PL quenching effect as the TiO 2 content increases. The PPV/TiO 2 composites can show significant photovoltaic response. Better photovoltaic performance is observed for the solar cells prepared by using the in situ sol–gel reaction method.