Role of Semiconducting Nanomaterials in Polymer Solar Cell

Abstract

This paper discusses the schematic aspect of semiconducting nanoparticle as applicable in harvest of solar energy via polymer solar cell and the significance of its various nano-layers. As recently observed semi-conducting properties in some inorganic materials have become topic of rigorous research for application in photovoltaic cells. Polymer solar cells are promising alternative to conventional solar cells which are made of crystalline silicon, to overcome their drawbacks such as high overall cost, less portability, etc. Despite their limited efficiency and stability. The external overview of function of a conventional silicon solar cell is almost similar to organic solar cell but the actual mechanism of initiating the photovoltaic effect is quite different. Polymer solar cells are made by combination of organic and inorganic materials. The organic materials used are polymers which are conducting in nature. Various layers of inorganic semiconducting materials are coated over it via various surface-coating techniques. Over these layers, choice of π-conjugate polymers is coated, which form electron donor-acceptor layers. The role of each layer is discussed as they affect the working of polymer solar cell.

Keywords: Solar cell, indium tin oxide, ZnO, P3HT: PCBM, PEDOT: PSS

Cite this Article: Kulshreshtha Aparna, Sakhre Vandana, Verma Nitin. Role of semiconducting nanomaterials in polymer solar cell. Journal of Nanoscience, Nanoengineering and Applications. 2015; 5(1): 23-26p.