Effect of quantum dot ligand exchange on the photovoltaic properties of polymer solar cell

In the present work attempts have been made to investigate the main impact of the incorporation of lead sulfide (PbS) colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) as well as the exchange of ligand from long-chain insulating oleic acid (OA) to the short-chain semiconducting methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) named perovskite on the photovoltaic properties of highly reported regioregular poly (3-hexyl thiophene)(rrP3HT): PC60BM bulk heterojunction (BHJ) polymeric solar cell. Results showed that incorporation of both OA and MAPbI3 capped PbS into the P3HT:PCBM heterojunction could enhance the photon harvesting efficiency and exciton generation potential. However, in spite of OA, the semiconducting perovskite (MAPbI3) ligand showed to be much more effective in increasing power conversion efficiency (PCE), so that 6% improvement in PCE was seen by the introduction of 6% PbS QD capped with perovskite ligand unlike PbS QD with OA ligand which had adverse effect on the photovoltaic properties of P3HT: PCBM solar cell