Synthesis of copolymer in PTh-co-PANi-Ti system for photovoltaic application

Titanium (Ti) doped polythiophene (PTh), polyaniline (PANi) and its copolymer system were chemically synthesized via oxidation route using titanium chloride as an oxidant. Synthesized PANi-Ti, PTh-Ti and PTh-co-PANi-Ti were characterized by TG–DTA, FE-SEM and UV–vis and were used to fabricate photovoltaic (PV) cell. UV–vis study shows that optical band gap of reduces in copolymer system of PTh-co-PANi-Ti. It was observed that reduction in band gap value results in enhancement of power conversion efficiency (PCE). PV properties shows that the PTh-co-PANi-Ti exhibited the highest efficiency ɳ=2.66, with a short circuit current (Isc)=1.17mA, open circuit voltage (Voc)=0.85 and a fill factor (FF)=0.5854. [Display omitted] •Fabrication of PVC in system ITO/PTh-co-PANI-Ti/AL.•PTh-co-PANI-Ti composites show high charge generation efficiency due to the rougher surface morphology.•Highest power conversion efficiency found to be 2.66% at 50:50wt% of polymer and oxidant.