All-Carbon Nanotube Solar Cell Devices Mimic Photosynthesis

Both solar cells and photosynthetic systems employ a two-step process of light absorption and energy conversion. In photosynthesis, they are performed by distinct proteins. However, conventional solar cells use the same semiconductor for optical absorption and electron-hole separation, leading to inefficiencies. Here, we show that an all-semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube (s-SWCNTs) device provides an artificial system that models photosynthesis in a tandem geometry. We use distinct chirality s-SWCNTs to separate the site and direction of light absorption from those of power generation. Using different bandgap s-SWCNTs, we implement an energy funnel in dual-gated p-n diodes. The device captures photons from multiple regions of the solar spectrum and funnels photogenerated excitons to the smallest bandgap s-SWCNT layer, where they become free carriers. We demonstrate an increase in the photoresponse by adding more s-SWCNT layers of different bandgaps without a corresponding deleterious increase in the dark leakage current.