Efficient photoinduced charge transfer in TiO2 nanorod/conjugated polymer hybrid materials

The mechanisms of photoinduced charge transfer in composites of TiO2 nanorods with a conjugated polymer (poly(2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethyl)(hexyloxy) 1,4-phenylenevinylene) (MEH-PPV) have been investigated by steady-state, time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectroscopy. Efficient charge separation takes place at the TiO2-nanorod/polymer interfaces when the polymer is excited, leading to quenching of the photoluminescence efficiency η and shortening of the measured lifetime τPL. In addition, the low-temperature absorption and photoluminescence spectra show that the inclusion of TiO2 nanorods in polymer can reduce disorder in conformation and enhance conjugation in the polymer chain. A photovoltaic solar cell device based on the MEH-PPV/TiO2-nanorod composite material is also presented, which shows a two order increase in short-circuit current JSC compared to that based on the pristine MEH-PPV