Study of resonance energy transfer between MEH-PPV and CuFeS2 nanoparticle and their application in energy harvesting device

In this work wide band gap semiconducting chalcopyrite CuFeS2 has been synthesized by hydrothermal technique. The optical and electro-chemical studies approved the semiconductor nature of the synthesized material with direct band gap 4.04 eV and room temperature electrical conductivity (σ) = 4.7 × 10−8 S cm−1. We have explored the possible applicability of this material in conjunction with polymer MEH-PPV to harvest green energy. The steady-state and time dependent luminescence analysis of MEH-PPV:CuFeS2 composite demonstrates the possibility of successful charge transportation. The type of energy quenching has been investigated by Stern-Volmer analysis. Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) calculation confirms the static resonance energy transfer between donor (MEH-PPV) and acceptor (CuFeS2) nanoparticles. Finally the energy harvesting device with configuration ITO/MEH-PPV:CuFeS2/Al has been successfully fabricated and characterized.