Improved efficiency of photovoltaics based on CdSe nanorods and poly(3-hexylthiophene) nanofibers

We present photovoltaic devices based on a blend of the conjugated polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) with cadmium selenide nanorods, where the solvent for film deposition has been carefully chosen to optimize the film morphology. Using 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (TCB), which has a high boiling point, as solvent for P3HT it is possible to obtain a fibrilar morphology, providing extended pathways for hole transport. Blend devices fabricated using this solvent gave solar power conversion efficiencies of 2.6%. This indicates that efficient transport of electrons and holes is achieved in these films, allowing them to operate effectively at solar illumination intensities.