Nanostructured conformal hybrid solar cells: a promising architecture towards complete charge collection and light absorption

We introduce hybrid solar cells with an architecture consisting of
an electrodeposited ZnO nanorod array (NRA) coated with a conformal
thin layer (< 50 nm) of organic polymer-fullerene blend and a
quasi-conformal Ag top contact (Thin/NR). We have compared the
performance of Thin/NR cells to conventional hybrid cells in which
the same NRAs are completely filled with organic blend (Thick/NR).
The Thin/NR design absorbs at least as much light as Thick/NR
cells, while charge extraction is significantly enhanced due to the
proximity of the electrodes, resulting in a higher current density
per unit volume of blend and improved power conversion efficiency.
The NRAs need not be periodic or aligned and hence can be made very
simply.