Abstract Conducting polyaniline (Pani) films embedded with Co2+ doped, PVA-capped NiS/MnS core-shell particles as photoluminescent boosters have been developed and reported. The absorption and photoluminescence characteristics of the core-shell Pani have increased significantly. Film of the core-shell-Pani composite is n-type semiconductor with a band gap of 2.34 eV. Periodic arrangement of the nanoclusters of the core-shell in the continuous conductive polymer matrix with high carrier density (3.99 × 1016) rates this material for photoelectrochemical applications. Solid-state photovoltaic cells with NiS/MnS-Pani as the electron conductor shows a Isc of 0.14 mA/cm2, Voc of 382 mV and photo conversion efficiency of 1.25%. Keywords: composite materialsoptical propertiespolymersemiconductor Financial support by UGC, India, through project No. F.30-64/2004 (SR) is thankfully acknowledged.
T. R. HeeraVimalkumar Balasubramanian
Jing Na ZhuZhen ShenWei Min MoMei Chao Li