Improvement the optical properties of the P3HT:PC70BM film using CdSe QD

Quantum dots have properties that make them useful in almost all areas of science and technology. The active layer of the organic solar cells is no exception; in this work cadmium selenium quantum dots are used to enhance the optical properties of the active layer P3HT:PC70BM. Cadmium selenium is a p-type semiconductor, just like PC70BM; so, its function in the active layer is the same as that of PC70BM. This work reports the synthesis of cadmium selenium quantum dots of three sizes 2.4, 3.0 and 5.6 nm. These materials were obtained by colloidal chemical synthesis at temperatures of 210, 240 and 280° C respectively. Using spin coating, thin films of the mixture of each size of quantum dots were grown in combination with P3HT; in addition, films of the commonly used mixture of P3HT:PC70BM were grown, as a reference to compare its operation. With cadmium selenium quantum dots an improvement in radiation absorption was found compared with the usual active layer.