Photophysical and photovoltaic properties of a polymer-fullerene system containing CdSe nanoparticles

► Ternary systems based on P3HT, PCBM and CdSe nanoparticles applied to solar cells. ► Photophysical studies indicate different quenching behavior of P3HT excited state. ► Number of thiophene groups is an important factor influencing device's performance. ► Morphology of the ternary system also impacts the performance of the solar cells.