One-Dimensional Nanostructured Semiconducting Materials for Organic Photovoltaics

Bulk heterojunction solar cells with highly ordered one-dimensional (1D) nanostructured components of semiconducting conjugated polymers, dyes, and metal oxides are reviewed in terms of device structure and performance. The morphologically controlled semiconducting materials show characteristic features of the light-harvesting and photocurrent generation. We highlight the recent progress and improvement of self-assembling 1D materials for a donor acceptor active layer as well as an electron, transporting layer in organic solar cells. Strategies of the fabrication procedures and origin of the photophysical properties are summarized. 1D nanostructured semiconducting materials that are vertically phase-separated with respect to a transparent conducting electrode facilitate efficient carrier transportation and collection.