In situ syntheses of semiconducting nanoparticles in conjugated polymer matrices and their application in photovoltaics.

Abstract

Hybrid solar cells based on conjugated polymers and inorganic semiconducting nanoparticles combine beneficial properties of organic and inorganic semiconductors and are, therefore, an exciting alternative to pure organic or inorganic solar cell technologies. Several approaches for the fabrication of hybrid solar cells are already elaborated and explored. In the last years routes have emerged, where the nanoparticles are prepared directly in the matrix of the conjugated polymer. Here, the conjugated polymer prevents the nanoparticles from excessive growth and thereby makes additional capping agents obsolete. This review focuses on in situ preparation methods of inorganic semiconducting nanoparticles in conjugated polymers in view of applications in hybrid solar cells. The details, advantages and disadvantages of the different in situ methods are critically examined and put in comparison to the classical route where pre-synthesized nanoparticles are used. Various key factors influencing the solar cell performance as well as future strategies for increasing the overall efficiency of hybrid solar cells prepared via in situ routes are discussed. KeywordsInorganic-organic hybrid solar cell • Nanocomposite • OPV

In Situ Synthesis of PbS Nanocrystals in Polymer Thin Films from Lead(II) Xanthate and Dithiocarbamate Complexes: Evidence for Size and Morphology Control

“…14,27 Many of the difficulties associated with the traditional ex situ synthetic methods can be overcome by employing in situ synthetic routes, where semiconductor nanocrystals are grown within the polymer matrix. 4,5,[28][29][30] In this approach a solution containing both a polymer and a precursor complex is spin coated to form a precursor loaded polymer film. Upon heating decomposition of the precursor occurs causing the growth of inorganic semiconductor nanostructures within the polymer matrix, as illustrated in Figure 1a.…”

Electrochemistry of Inorganic OCT-PbS/HDA and OCT-PbS Photosensitizers Thermalized from Bis(N-diisopropyl-N-octyldithiocarbamato) Pb(II) Molecular Precursors

“…The release of environmental pollutants, such as CO 2 , through the use of fossil fuels, has heightened the need for renewable solar energy. The amount of sunlight energy released on a daily basis is more than sufficient if the absorbed photons are completely utilized [1]. Apart from the need for new materials for clean energy, more effort is placed on the synthetic pathways that will deal with the shortfall in the solar cells' poor conversion efficiency.…”

“…Apart from the need for new materials for clean energy, more effort is placed on the synthetic pathways that will deal with the shortfall in the solar cells' poor conversion efficiency. Limitations, like defects on the nanomaterial surface through impurities emanating from capping agents and lack of control over the particle size, impede composite transport of the charge carriers [1,2]. This has placed a great deal of emphasis on the fabrication process of photovoltaic cells that will result in better conversion efficiency than the ideal dye sensitizer solar cells (DSSC) (see Figure 1), which have been used over the past two decades.…”

“…This has placed a great deal of emphasis on the fabrication process of photovoltaic cells that will result in better conversion efficiency than the ideal dye sensitizer solar cells (DSSC) (see Figure 1), which have been used over the past two decades. The emergence of quantum dots (QDs) sensitizer has found great relevance in the formation of many cells, such as inorganic cells, organic cells, solution-process colloidal solar cells and dye-sensitized solar cells [1,[3][4][5][6][7]. Their unique size distribution and spectra properties enable them to absorb the entire visible spectrum, resulting in an improved power conversion efficiency.…”

Precursor determined lateral size control of monolayer MoS2nanosheets from a series of alkylammonium thiomolybdates: a reversal of trend between growth media

“…Polymers such as polystyrene and the semiconducting poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5diyl) (P3HT) have been shown to be effective as an medium for the in situ growth of nanocrystals. [16][17][18][19] Recently nanocrystal size control within polystyrene was achieved by variation of the chain length of the lead(II) xanthate decomposed. 20 The in situ growth of MoS 2 is potentially a route to hybrid photovoltaic devices that avoids the harsh conditions of gas phase syntheses and also provides intimate contact between the ligand free MoS 2 and the polymer.…”