The utilization of inorganic nanocrystals is one of the key strategies to improve the performance of polymer solar cells (PSCs). In this paper, CuInS2/ZnS (CIS-Z) quantum dots (QDs) were employed to improve efficiency of PSCs composed of poly [N-9″-hepta-decanyl-2,7-carbazolealt-5,5-(4′,7′-di-2-thienyl-2′,1′,3′-ben-zothiadiazole)]­(PCDTBT)/fullerene derivative [6,6]-phenyl-C70-butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM). The maximum power conversion efficiency of 7.19% was achieved, accounting for 21.6% enhancement compared to the control device. The incorporation of CIS-Z QDs allowed not only enhancing exciton generation and dissociation but also improving charge transport property, leading to a higher short-circuit current density and fill factor.

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Cadmium selenide (CdSe) quantum dots (QDs) utilized as additives have been incorporated intopolymer solar cells (PSCs) composed of poly[N-9''-hepta-decanyl-2,7-carbazolealt-5,5-(4',7'-di-2-thienyl-2',1',3'-ben-zothiadiazole)] (PCDTBT) and fullerene derivative [6,6]-phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM). The maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.94% has been achieved, corresponding to 33% enhancement compared with the control devices. The introduction of CdSe QDs allows not only the improvement of charge transport properties but also tuning of the energy levels, which leads to a higher short circuit current (Jsc), fill factor (FF), and open-circuit voltage (Voc).