Effect of ZnCdTe-alloyed nanocrystals on polymer-fullerene bulk heterojunction solar cells

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:C 60 (+ZnCdTe) nanocomposite device with that of the devices based on MEH-PPV:C 60 and pristine MEH-PPV, one can find that the nanocomposite device exhibits an enhanced photocurrent. In comparing the composite devices with different ZnCdTe:[MEH-PPV + C 60] weight ratios of 10 wt% (D 1-1), 20 wt% (D 1-2), 40 wt% (D 1-3), and 70 wt% (D 1-4), it was found that the device D 1-3 exhibits the best performance. The power conversion efficiency (η) is improved doubly compared with that of the MEH-PPV:C 60 device.