Tri-metallic quantum dot under the influence of solvent additive for improved performance of polymer solar cells

CdTeSe colloidal quantum dot (QD) was used to enhance photon capture in thin film polymer solar cells (TFPSC). The QDs were synthesized in aqueous media from two different precursors. Bulk heterojunction (BHJ) polymer blends composed of P3HT and PCBM were used as an absorber layer of the solar cell to investigate the effect of QDs. Different concentrations of QDs were used in the polymer matrix, which significantly impacted the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the doped devices. More device performance growth was recorded by employing a small amount of solvent additives to disperse the QDs and increase the polymer's crystallinity in the medium. Hence, the addition of 1, Chloronaphthalene (CN) solvent additive in the QD-doped bulk heterojunction film further enhanced the overall performance of the TFPSC due to improved film morphology that has significantly influenced the charge transport processes. Consequently, the PCE of the solar cell increased by nearly 50% compared to the pristine TFPSC due to the effect of solvent additives.