Preparation and characterisation of photoelectric and electrochemical capability of polyimide doped with CdSe and CdSe/TiO2

Abstract

PurposeTo evaluate the photoelectrochemical characteristics of polymer doped with CdSe and CdSe/TiO2 for improved photoelectric conversion efficiency.Design/methodology/approachA method was set‐up to dope the nano‐CdSe with poly‐perylene‐tetracarboxylic imide (PPI) in the nano‐TiO2/ITO films, which were characterised by X‐ray diffraction; electrochemical analytical system; multifunctional grating spectrometer; digital photometer and ultrasonic cleanout instrument, etc.FindingsThe modification of PPI doped with CdSe and CdSe/TiO2 showed significant elevation of the monochromatic incident photo‐to‐electron conversion efficiency (IPCE) of the photoelectrode, which was about 3 per cent. The doping caused a tone up separate efficiency of charge, restraining the complex of electron‐cavity by doped nano‐CdSe. Therefore, the photocurrent of the TiO2 film doped with nano‐CdSe was about three times higher than that without.Research limitations/implicationsThe mixed film could also be formed from conjugated polymer mixed with polymer and inorganic particle, based on polymer doped with CdSe and CdSe/TiO2. In addition, the monochromatic incident IPCE of the photoelectrode needs to be extensively studied.Practical implicationsThe treatment method developed provided a practical and effective solution to increasing the ICPE.Originality/valueThe method for doping polymer with CdSe and CdSe/TiO2 was novel and could probably be adapted for the manufacture of solar cell.