Optimization of P3HT : CdSe hybrid photovoltaic

Abstract

Excessive quantities of fossil fuel are being burnt to cope with the increasing demand of energy. By making use of this source of energy, environment degradation,

depletion of ozone layer and increasing global climate becomes apparent. Hence the

need for alternative clean and renewable energy sources is inevitable. Solar energy is

one of the areas that is being explored intensively in recent years. Hybrid solar cells that consist of both organic and inorganic materials is a hot research topic currently.

In this project, different effects and roles of pyridine as a co-solvent in ligand

exchanged cadmium selenide (CdSe) and as synthesized CdSe are investigated. In

addition, effects of thermal annealing on ligand exchanged P3HT:CdSe hybrid solar

cells are also studied.

Variables such as different volumetric concentration of pyridine as co-solvent and

contact times between pyridine and CdSe were chosen for this study. Characterization techniques such as atomic force microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and solar cell testings are conducted to characterize and give an account for electrical performance in different degree in ligand exchange specimens.

The result of this study shows that pyridine capped ligand exchanged CdSe nanorods

display better solubility in the polymer matrix upon addition of pyridine as cosolvent. On the other hand, when pyridine is introduced into as-synthesized CdSe, it

functions as a medium for ligand exchange process to take place. Lastly, thermal

annealing provides enhanced cell performance only in as-synthesized CdSe samples

when they undergo small degree of ligand exchange.