Enhanced photovoltaic performance in nanoimprinted pentacene-PbS nanocrystal hybrid device

Pentacene and PbS nanocrystal bilayer photovoltaic devices are fabricated after the pentacene layer is subjected to nanoimprinting using a laser textured silicon stamp. Increased short circuit current densities are observed for the imprinted devices, which are attributed to increased charge mobility in the pentacene film caused by the decrease in the intermolecular distances during nanoimprinting. This work is consistent with previous reports where hydrostatic pressure induced mobility increases have been observed in polyacenes under gigapascal pressure regimes. It is believed that the pentacene film undergoes localized high pressures during nanoimprinting, giving rise to the increased hole mobilities. © 2008 American Institute of Physics. DOI: 10.1063/1.2890848