Photoelectrochemical Energy Conversion at the Conjugated Polymer/Redox Polymer Electrolyte Interface

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Abstract
All‐solid‐state photoelectrochemical cells have been constructed using films of a conducting polymer, poly(3‐octylthiophene), and a polymer electrolyte, amorphous polyethylene oxide, complexed with the redox couple. An open‐circuit voltage of 250 mV and a short‐circuit current of 0.04 μA/cm2 were obtained with white light illumination at approximately one sun. During illumination, a cathodic photocurrent was observed, indicating that the neutral poly(3‐octylthiophene) behaves as a p‐type semiconductor. From the spectral response, the junction responsible for the photocurrent generation is between the conducting polymer and the solid polymer electrolyte. The open‐circuit voltage and short‐circuit current dependence on intensity and variation of open‐circuit voltage with redox couple concentration have also been studied.