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Categories: energy, nanotechnology

BSA 11-26: Interdigitated Electrical Contacts for Low Electronic Mobility Semiconductor Photovoltaic Devices

BNL Reference Number: BSA 11-26

Patent Status: Provisional filed on April 28, 2011

Summary

Structures useful for forming contacts to materials having low charge carrier mobility are described. Methods for their formation and use are also described. These structures include interdigitated electrodes capable of making electrical contact to semiconducting materials having low electron and/or hole mobility. In particular, these structures are useful for organic semiconducting devices made with conducting polymers and small molecules. They are also useful for semiconducting devices made with nanocrystalline semiconductors.

Description

A nanostructured template is first formed by, in one case, electron beam lithography. The template comprises a grating formed in an electrically conductive substrate. In step two, this grating is oxidized to form an insulating layer on its surface. This insulator electrically isolates the surface from the conducting substrate. Metal is then deposited to form top and bottom contacts. This may be done in a single step for top and bottom contacts made from the same material, or serially to deposite different metallic material as the top and the bottom electrodes. In the final step, after the formation of the electrodes, the template is filled with active semiconducting material. This active material may be organic, such as conductive polymer blends, or inorganic, such as in the case of nanocrystals.

Have Questions?

For more information about this technology, contact Kimberley Elcess, (631) 344-4151.