Quantum dot cosensitized solar cell based on PMOT@CdSe@ZnO core shell nanostructures with dual emission

• Synthesized PMOT@CdSe@ZnO is biluminescent in nature.
• A power conversion efficiency of 0.989% was achieved with PMOT@CdSe@ZnO device which is superior to CdSe@ZnO and PMOT@ZnO.
• Upon annealing, an efficiency of 1.1609% was achieved for device PMOT@CdSe@ZnO.

Quantum dot sensitized solar cell based on poly(3-methoxythiophene) (PMOT)@CdSe@ZnO core shell nanostructure were synthesized where PMOT serves as hole transport material, CdSe acts as a photosensitizer which enhances visible range absorption and also helps in injection of electrons from PMOT to ZnO where ZnO provides channel for efficient electron transport. The properties of the device were assessed with and without CdSe quantum dots and effect of annealing was also observed on the device. After the addition of CdSe QDs, the visible light absorption of PMOT@ZnO was enhanced due to increase in surface area. PMOT@CdSe@ZnO exhibited dual emission, where CdSe and ZnO exhibited visible and UV emission respectively. The interface formed between PMOT and CdSe improves the charge separation. The better photovoltaic measurement of PMOT@CdSe@ZnO over CdSe@ZnO indicates that PMOT efficiently dissociate excitons at interface and suppress the interfacial charge recombination. A power conversion efficiency of 0.989% was attained for the device PMOT@CdSe@ZnO with Voc=0.56 V and Jsc=2.5 mA/cm2. Upon annealing, the efficiency of the device was enhanced to 1.1609% with Voc=0.58, Jsc=3.2 mA/cm2.

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