Effect of ZnCdTe-Alloyed Nanocrystals on Polymer-Fullerene Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells

Nanoscale Res Lett. 2009 Mar 26;4(7):674-9. doi: 10.1007/s11671-009-9293-y.

Abstract

The photovoltaic properties of solar cell based on the blends of poly[2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexoxy-1,4-phenylenevinylene) (MEH-PPV), fullerene (C60), and ZnCdTe-alloyed nanocrystals were investigated. Comparing the spectral response of photocurrent of the MEH-PPV:C60(+ZnCdTe) nanocomposite device with that of the devices based on MEH-PPV:C60and pristine MEH-PPV, one can find that the nanocomposite device exhibits an enhanced photocurrent. In comparing the composite devices with different ZnCdTe:[MEH-PPV + C60] weight ratios of 10 wt% (D1-1), 20 wt% (D1-2), 40 wt% (D1-3), and 70 wt% (D1-4), it was found that the device D1-3exhibits the best performance. The power conversion efficiency (η) is improved doubly compared with that of the MEH-PPV:C60device.

Keywords: Alloy; Heterojuction; Nanocrystals; Solar cell; ZnCdTe.