Interactions in GO/P3HT thin films: Spectroscopic investigation for organic solar cells

Abstract The present study was carried out to investigate the thin film properties of poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) coupled with graphene oxide (GO) using different spectroscopic techniques. The X-ray diffraction spectrum of GO/P3HT revealed a highly crystalline reflection of GO which is slightly shifted to higher diffraction angles as evidence of interaction with P3HT. Fourier transform infrared confirmed the alteration of P3HT structure upon interaction with GO by the increase in average conjugation length. The reflectance spectrum of GO/P3HT has an observable decrease in percentage reflectance, leading to an enhancement of light absorption. The fluorescent decay curves revealed a decline in exciton lifetime depicting quicker charge transfer, which decreased the exciton diffusion length. Our findings suggest that GO can be the hole transport material in organic solar cells. Graphical abstract