Polymeric photovoltaic devices

Recent developments on the conjugated polymer based photovottaic elements have been reviewed. Introducing the possibility of cheap and easy-to-produce photovoltaic energy from light, these devices have a potential for utilization of terrestrial solar irradiation. Photophysics of such photoactive devices is based on the photo-induced electron transfer from donor type semi-conducting, conjugated polymers onto acceptor type conjugated polymers or acceptor molecules such as Buckminsterfullerene, C60. This process mimics the early photo effects in the natural photosynthesis. In the general context of organic photovoltaics the polymeric materials have a cutting edge since they combine the photoelectrical properties of semiconductors with the large scale/low cost technology of poly-meric "plastic" materials.