Ternary atoms alloy quantum dot assisted hole transport in thin film polymer solar cells

Abstract

Quantum confinement effects and multiple exciton generation (MEG) were explored in this investigation to assist the hole transport and improved trapping of light in thin film solar cells (TFOSCs). The popular organic transport material Poly (3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene): polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) is employed here for effective electron blocking and hole transport processes through doping with quantum dots (QD). Alloyed CdTeSe QD is used, at different concentrations, in PEDOT:PSS layer to fabricate TFOSCs in the convectional device structure consisting of molecules blended as poly (3-hexylthiophene): (6, 6)-phenyl- C61-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT: PCBM) solar absorber. A remarkable increase in performance of the devices was achieved from TFOSC whose HTL doped with QDs that resulted in an optimal boost in power conversion efficiency (PCE) as high as 111.7% relative to the reference cell. The results suggest that the doping of HTL with the alloy of CdTeSe quantum dots assisted in electron blocking, and improved hole collection as well as improved light trapping at the interface between the solar absorber layer and HTL.