Greener, more efficient, and less complex syntheses are required to make quantum-dot thin-film solar cells a viable, practical technology for consumers. To achieve these aims, toxic organic solvents must be eliminated or diminished in the synthesis process. The most appropriate alternative is water, a nontoxic solvent with potentials for easy film fabrication through inkjet printing. This research explores the synthesis of oleic acid capped cadmium selenide (CdSe) nanoparticles that can be functionalized for use in bulk heterojunction thin film solar nanomaterials. The functionalization was done via a biphasic reaction where the oleic acid is exchanged for water-soluble ligands, 4-mercaptobenzenesulfonate and 4-aminobenzenesulfonate. These ligands contain an electron-rich aromatic ring that should enable charge transport, terminal moieties like carboxylic acids and thiols that bind to the nanoparticle, and groups such as amines and sulfonic acids that are water-soluble. Bicontinuous polymeric networks of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) and polyaniline (PANI) afford both electron and hole separation and charge transport. Successful syntheses of semiconductor nanoparticles were confirmed using UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)  spectroscopy was used to verify ligand attachment and to characterize the electronic environment of the ligand-nanoparticle coordination. An enhanced understanding of how ligand coordination affects nanoparticle self-assembly and inclusion within polymeric matrices affords new routes to realize tunable, water-processable solar networks with improved photoefficiencies.<br/>

Functionalization of CdSe nanoparticles for use in solar nanocomposites

255th National Meeting (2018)

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