Resonance energy transfer from organic chromophores to fullerene molecules

Abstract

The mechanism of charge separation in polymeric bulk heterojunction photovoltaic cells is usually described as electron transfer from the absorbing polymer to an electron acceptor material such as (6,6)-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). We consider the possibility of energy transfer to PCBM as another potential mechanism for charge separation. We demonstrate resonance energy transfer from a red-emitting organic chromophore (Nile red) to PCBM and measure a Förster radius of 3.1nm. Using standard Förster energy transfer theory, we calculate a Förster radius (R0) of around 2.7nm for this donor-acceptor pair in polystyrene. Nile red has a similar emission spectrum to commonly used conjugated polymers used in polymer/PCBM photovoltaic cells. We consider the implications of an energy transfer mechanism on the design requirements for future photovoltaic cells.