Effects of nanocrystal size and device aging on performance of hybrid poly(3-hexylthiophene):CdSe nanocrystal solar cells

Jihua Yang, Aiwei Tang, Renjia Zhou, Jiangeng Xue

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

86 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have studied hybrid solar cells based on the polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and colloidal CdSe nanocrystals. Using CdSe nanospheres with varying size, we have found that the power conversion efficiency (ηP) of these devices increases monotonically with the CdSe nanocrystal size, from ηP=(0.39±0.04)% under AM1.5G solar illumination for 4.0±0.2 nm size nanospheres to ηP=(1.9±0.2)% for 6.8±0.5 nm size nanospheres. The efficiency increase with nanocrystal size is mostly due to a significant increase in the short-circuit current, whereas the open-circuit voltage and fill factor of the solar cells are less affected. The devices also exhibit abnormal initial aging behavior when exposed to air, as an increase in both the short-circuit current and open-circuit voltage during the first 30 min leads to a significant increase in ηP.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)476-482
Number of pages7
JournalSolar Energy Materials and Solar Cells
Volume95
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2011

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Solar Energy Technology Program of the U.S. Department of Energy and the CAREER Program of the National Science Foundation . Aiwei Tang is also grateful to China Scholarship Council for financial support.

Keywords

  • Colloidal nanocrystals
  • Conjugated polymers
  • Device aging
  • Hybrid solar cells
  • Organic solar cells
  • Size effect

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effects of nanocrystal size and device aging on performance of hybrid poly(3-hexylthiophene):CdSe nanocrystal solar cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this