Exploiting SWCNT structural variability towards the development of a photovoltaic device

In this paper we propose a conceptual Photovoltaic device that comprises a large number of vertically aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) having distinct geometrical structure properties. Through employing analytical models of the CNT, we demonstrate how this structural variation can be exploited in absorbing a broadband of the solar spectra. The results show that given a group of CNTs with a low mean diameter d_¿ = 1 nm and high diameter spread (d¿), optimal band-gap variability can be achieved to maximize the potential of absorption within the proposed CNT-based photovoltaic device.