Design of nanostructured heterojunction polymer photovoltaic devices

Solar cells made from blends of conjugated polymers and nanostructured inorganic materials are an important class of organic photovoltaic devices. However, there has been no systematic theoretical analysis of their operation and performance. In this paper, we develop a theoretical model to analyze the performance of two classes of heterojunction solar cells composed of ordered nanostructures. Based on the simulations, we conclude that in order to obtain reasonable efficiencies, the size and spacing of the nanostructures must be on the order of the exciton diffusion length scale. Possible quantum and other confinement effects are qualitatively discussed.