Abstract
We are reporting new hybrid solar cells based on blends of silicon nanocrystals (Si NCs) and poly-3(hexylthiophene) (P3HT) polymer in which a percolating network of the nanocrystals acts as the electron-conducting phase. The properties of composite Si NCs/P3HT devices made by spin-coating Si NCs and P3HT from a common solvent were studied as a function of Si NC size and Si NC/P3HT ratio. The open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current are observed to depend on the Si NC size due to changes in the bandgap and surface-area-to-volume ratio. Under simulated one-sun A.M. 1.5 direct illumination (100 mW/cm2), devices made with 35 wt % Si NCs 3-5 nm in size showed 1.15% power conversion efficiency.
Publication types
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Evaluation Study
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Computer-Aided Design
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Crystallization / methods
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Electric Power Supplies*
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Energy Transfer
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Equipment Design
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Equipment Failure Analysis
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Light
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Macromolecular Substances / chemistry
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Materials Testing
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Molecular Conformation
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Nanostructures / chemistry*
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Nanostructures / radiation effects
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Nanostructures / ultrastructure
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Nanotechnology / instrumentation*
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Nanotechnology / methods
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Organoselenium Compounds / chemistry*
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Organoselenium Compounds / radiation effects
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Particle Size
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Reproducibility of Results
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Sensitivity and Specificity
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Silicon / chemistry*
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Silicon / radiation effects
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Solar Energy*
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Surface Properties
Substances
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Macromolecular Substances
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Organoselenium Compounds
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poly(3-hexyl)selenophene
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Silicon