Impact of offset energies on the yield of interfacial charge separation in molecular photocells.

We display that the process of charge carriers' separation at molecular photocells is a complex phenomenon that is controlled by the cumulative action of Coulomb interaction for electron-hole pairs and LUMO-LUMO offset energies. By applying quantum scattering theory and the Lippmann-Schwinger equation, we provide a comprehensive framework of the device operation in which the operating molecular photocell is described by a wave function. We find that depending on the magnitude of offset energies, the electron-hole interaction can normally decrease or abnormally increase the charge separation yield.

The impact of long-range electron-hole interaction on the charge separation yield of molecular photocells.

We discuss the effects of charge carrier interaction and recombination on the operation of molecular photocells. Molecular photocells are devices where the energy conversion process takes place in a single molecular donor-acceptor complex attached to electrodes. Our investigation is based on the quantum scattering theory, in particular on the Lippmann-Schwinger equation; this minimizes the complexity of the problem while providing useful and non-trivial insight into the mechanism governing photocell operation.

Modeling of molecular photocells: Application to two-level photovoltaic system with electron-hole interaction.

We present a novel simple model to describe molecular photocells where the energy conversion process takes place by a single molecular donor-acceptor complex attached to electrodes. By applying quantum scattering theory, an open quantum system method, the coherent molecular photocell is described by a wave function. We analyze photon absorption, energy conversion, and quantum yield of a molecular photocell by considering the effects of electron-hole interaction and non-radiative recombination.

Simple model of a coherent molecular photocell.

Electron transport in molecular electronic devices is often dominated by a coherent mechanism in which the wave function extends from the left contact over the molecule to the right contact. If the device is exposed to light, photon absorption in the molecule might occur, turning the device into a molecular photocell. The photon absorption promotes an electron to higher energy levels and thus modifies the electron transmission probability through the device.