Recent Development in One-Dimensional Polymer-Based Nanomaterials for High-Performance Solar Cells

Intrinsically conducting polymers with a highly conjugated chain are known as “synthetic metals”. Their properties can be exploited as 1D nanostructure or nanocomposites by the integration of at least a single minor element hooked on polymers. The second approach helps to develop or extend the capability of these newer, conducting polymers. Conducting polymer-based nanocomposites has therefore attracted significant research prominence because of their advantageous characteristics compared to their pure counterparts. Due to their exclusive substantial properties, one-dimensional (1D) nanostructured composites have been the focus of extensive research worldwide. They are more suitable for transporting charges in the integrated nanoscale system than other-dimensional structures because of their smaller-dimensional structure and high aspect ratio, which can transport electrical carriers effectively and in a single controllable direction. Photovoltaic devices are those that allow solar energy to be converted directly into electricity. In bulk heterojunction devices, photoinduced electron transfer often yields hole and electron pairs, with charges coupled by coulombic force of attraction, culminating in so-called geminate polaron pairs. The advantages of organic solar cells over inorganic ones are their low cost, flexibility, and light weight. This chapter focuses on different 1D nanostructure polymeric composites used as photovoltaic devices and their performance.