In this work we are exploring synthetic routes to construct functionalized cadmium selenide nanoparticles for use in excitonic photovoltaic devices. In these hybrid conductive polymer/nanoparticle solar assemblies, CdSe nanoparticles function as key light absorbers that facilitate multiple exciton generation and broad band absorption while conductive polymers including polyaniline and polythiophene serve as electron/hole transport matrices. Improvement in photo-efficiency requires exciton formation, stable charge separation, and facile electron/hole transport. To this end we have tested several nanotether ligands that will serve to bridge heterointerfaces between the nanoparticle and the polymeric materials. Imine reactions were performed to synthesize conductive aniline oligomers which were attached to CdSe nanoparticles through solution methods. In order to verify that the ligands were attached to the nanoparticle, H-NMR, FTIR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy were employed. In addition, SEM and AFM were utilized to image heterojunction nanomaterials and assess nanoparticle polydispersity.  A better understanding of synthetic routes to achieve nanotethers will afford new strategies to optimize photostability and charge carrier mobility in these hybrid solar materials.

Exploring amine nanotethers: New routes to functionalized CdSe nanoparticles

251st National Meeting (2016)

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