# US 10,374,182 B1 · Method for making polymer solar cell > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,374,182 B1 - Document ID: US10374182B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 16/155,897 - Filed: 2018-10-10 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2018-04-16 - Assignees: Tsinghua University; Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Tsinghua University; Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Wen Ning; Peng Liu; Kai-Li Jiang; Shou-Shan Fan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10374182B1 ## CPC - H10K 71/12: using liquid deposition, e.g. spin coating - H10K 30/353: {comprising blocking layers, e.g. exciton blocking layers} - H10K 71/00: Manufacture or treatment specially adapted for the organic devices covered by this subclass - H10K 85/113: {Heteroaromatic compounds comprising sulfur or selene, e.g. polythiophene} - H10K 85/114: {Poly-phenylenevinylene; Derivatives thereof} - H10K 85/115: {Polyfluorene; Derivatives thereof} - H10K 85/225: {comprising substituents} - H10K 30/50: Photovoltaic [PV] devices - H10K 85/221: {Carbon nanotubes} - Y02E 10/549: Organic PV cells - Y02P 70/50: Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product - H10K: ORGANIC ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS ## Abstract A method for making a polymer solar cell includes placing a carbon nanotube array into a polymer solution. The carbon nanotube array includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes. The polymer solution is cured to form a polymer layer. The polymer layer includes a first polymer surface and a second polymer surface opposite to the first polymer surface. Each of the plurality of carbon nanotubes includes a first carbon nanotube portion and a second carbon nanotube portion, the first carbon nanotube portion is embedded in the polymer layer, and the second carbon nanotube portion is exposed from the polymer layer. The second carbon nanotube portion is tilted on the first polymer surface to form a carbon nanotube layer. A cathode electrode is formed on a surface of the carbon nanotube layer away from the polymer layer. An anode electrode is formed on the second polymer surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for making a polymer solar cell, comprising: placing a carbon nanotube array into a polymer solution, wherein the carbon nanotube array comprises a plurality of carbon nanotubes, a portion of each of the plurality of carbon nanotubes is immersed in the polymer solution; curing the polymer solution to form a polymer layer, wherein the polymer layer comprises a first polymer surface and a second polymer surface opposite to the first polymer surface, each of the plurality of carbon nanotubes comprises a first carbon nanotube portion and a second carbon nanotube portion, the first carbon nanotube portion is embedded in the polymer layer, and the second carbon nanotube portion is exposed from the polymer layer; tilting the second carbon nanotube portion on the first polymer surface to form a carbon nanotube layer; forming a cathode electrode on a surface of the carbon nanotube layer away from the polymer layer; and forming an anode electrode on the second polymer surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein placing the carbon nanotube array into the polymer solution is performed by vertically immersing the plurality of carbon nanotubes in the polymer solution. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein length directions of the plurality of carbon nanotubes is substantially perpendicular to the first polymer surface when the plurality of carbon nanotubes are vertically immersed in the polymer solution. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein after curing the polymer solution and before tilting the second carbon nanotube portion, the length directions of the first carbon nanotube portion and the second carbon nanotube portion are substantially perpendicular to the first polymer surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein after tilting the second carbon nanotube portion, the length direction of the second carbon nanotube portion is changed from substantially perpendicular to the first polymer surface to parallel to the first polymer surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein after tilting the second carbon nanotube portion, an angle β is formed between the second carbon nanotube portion and the first polymer surface, and 0°≤β≤60°. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein tilting the second carbon nanotube portion comprises pressing the second carbon nanotube portion by a planar pressing head along a direction perpendicular to the first polymer surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein after tilting the second carbon nanotube portion, a plurality of second carbon nanotube portions are entangled with each other to form a net-like structure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein tilting the second carbon nanotube portion comprises roll pressing the second carbon nanotube portion using a roller-shaped pressing head along a direction. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein after tilting the second carbon nanotube portion, length directions of a plurality of second carbon nanotube portions extend along the same direction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein tilting the second carbon nanotube portion comprises roll pressing the second carbon nanotube portion using a roller-shaped pressing head along different directions. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein after tilting the second carbon nanotube portion, length directions of a plurality of second carbon nanotube portions extend along different directions. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising pressing the carbon nanotube array before placing the carbon nanotube array in the polymer solution, to tilt the plurality of carbon nanotubes. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees is formed between the first polymer surface and the plurality of the carbon nanotubes. ### Claim 15 A method for making a polymer solar cell, comprising: placing an anode electrode in a container; placing a polymer solution in the container, wherein the polymer solution is located on the anode electrode; placing a carbon nanotube array into the polymer solution, wherein the carbon nanotube array comprises a plurality of carbon nanotubes, a portion of each of the plurality of carbon nanotubes is immersed in the polymer solution; curing the polymer solution to form a polymer layer, wherein the polymer layer comprises a first polymer surface and a second polymer surface opposite to the first polymer surface, each of the plurality of carbon nanotubes comprises a first carbon nanotube portion and a second carbon nanotube portion, the first carbon nanotube portion is embedded in the polymer layer, and the second carbon nanotube portion is exposed from the polymer layer; tilting the second carbon nanotube portion on the first polymer surface to form a carbon nanotube layer; and forming a cathode electrode on a surface of the carbon nanotube layer away from the polymer layer. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein tilting the second carbon nanotube portion comprises pressing the second carbon nanotube portion by a planar pressing head along a direction perpendicular to the first polymer surface. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein tilting the second carbon nanotube portion comprises roll pressing the second carbon nanotube portion using a roller-shaped pressing head along a direction. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein tilting the second carbon nanotube portion comprises roll pressing the second carbon nanotube portion using a roller-shaped pressing head along different directions. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein after tilting the second carbon nanotube portion, the length direction of the second carbon nanotube portion is changed from substantially perpendicular to the first polymer surface to parallel to the first polymer surface. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein after tilting the second carbon nanotube portion, an angle β is formed between the second carbon nanotube portion and the first polymer surface, and 0°≤β≤60°.