Improvement of power conversion efficiency of P3HT:CdSe hybrid solar cells by enhanced interconnection of CdSe nanorods via decomposable selenourea

Abstract

We introduce a novel method to improve the device performance of P3HT:CdSe hybrid solar cells by using selenourea (SeU) for ligand exchange. SeU induces interconnection of CdSe nanorods in the nanoscale range without severe aggregation. The power conversion efficiency of the devices with SeU is improved from 1.71% to 2.63% due to efficient charge transport through interconnected CdSe nanorods.

Hybrid Nanocomposite Thin Films for Photovoltaic Applications: A Review

“…Kwon (2013) used selenourea (SeU) in the ligand exchange process for improving the performance of the devices containing the composite films based on P3HT and CdSe nanorods [ 202 ]. Hence, selenourea is easily decomposed into selenide during the annealing at 215 °C of the composite film.…”

“…The study has shown that an interpenetrating networks is formed between the two components, a cell efficiency of 0.1% being recorded. Kwon (2013) used selenourea (SeU) in the ligand exchange process for improving the performance of the devices containing the composite films based on P3HT and CdSe nanorods [202]. Hence, selenourea is easily decomposed into selenide during the annealing at 215 • C of the composite film.…”

Effects of ligand exchanged CdSe quantum dot interlayer for inverted organic solar cells

“…Recently, the inverted organic solar cell has been researched to overcome device stability because PEDOT:PSS materials have a tendency to etch the ITO surface and causes interface instability through indium diffusion into the active layer in conventional structures [7][8][9]. Inorganic quantum dots (QDs; e.g., CdSe, CdS, PbS) have attracted much attention in organic/hybrid solar cells due to the possibility of solution processes, low energy band gap, and high electron conductivity [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. Generally, QD synthesis have used long alkyl chain surfactants to synthesize monodispersed nanoparticles (NPs).…”

Effects of surface ligands on energetic disorder and charge transport of P3HT:CdSe hybrid solar cells

“…The syntheses of the nanocrystals are often carried out in the presence of organic surfactants or ligands, which have several functions, such as directing the growth of the nanocrystals, tuning the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the nanocrystals, and passivation of the nanocrystal surface . These functions can directly impact the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of excitonic solar cells through modulation of the open circuit potential ( V oc ) and short circuit current .…”

“…One of the widely used inorganic nanocrystals for hybrid solar cells is cadmium selenide (CdSe) in the form of quantum dots, nanorods, tetrapods, and hyperbranches . During the post synthesis surface modification of CdSe, small molecules are used as surface capping ligands to replace the native synthesis ligands (NL) to facilitate charge transfer between the donor and acceptor .…”