Well defined graphene nanoribbons as active components for solar cells

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The long-term objective of this research project is to develop new n-type carbon nanomaterials for polymer-based bulk heterojunction solar cells (BHJSCs) to replace the PCBM, which is currently use in state-of-the-art solar cells. With more efficient n-type materials, BHJSCs will become a viable alternative to traditional silicon solar cells for various types of applications.****The strategy presented in this proposal is based on the preparation of nanocomposites from graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) and semiconducting single-wall carbon nanotubes (s-SWNTs). GNR/s-SWNT nanocomposites have been chosen by our team to replace PCBM, a well-known n-type material used in BHJSCs, in order to overcome its major drawbacks related to photovoltaic devices such as low stability upon irradiation, poor charge transport properties and poor sunlight absorption. We propose that a combination of carbon nanomaterials such as GNRs and s-SWNTs with proven, excellent electronic properties and high aspect ratio will lead to better device efficiency, thus bringing this type of device closer to commercialization.****This project falls right into Advanced Manufacturing - Quantum Materials: Integration of graphene or graphene-like materials into devices. In fact, the three major parts of this project are: 1) Synthesis and characterization of solution-processable graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) through a newly developed method ; 2) Preparation of GNRs/s-SWNT nanocomposites and 3) Fabrication of polymer-based BHJSCs using GNR/s-SWNT nanocomposites as n-type materials. ****This project will be conducted by four partners, two academics (JF Morin and M Leclerc) and two industrials (Raymor Industries Inc. and Brilliant Matters), that will work in close collaboration to meet the objectives and to make sure that the preparation of the new materials developed in this project could be implemented by our industrial partners to eventually make commercializable products out of them. The technology that we will develop will not only be of interest for solar cells and semiconducting polymers producers, but also to any companies involved in the electronics area, thus making our technology useful to plenty of end-users.********