Effect of the functionalization of CdS nanoparticles in the in-situ synthesis of P3HT/CdS composites. (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: García-Carvajal, S.; Hernández-Martínez, D.; Linzaga-Elizalde, I.; Maldonado, J.L.; Altuzar-Coello, P.; Nicho, M.E.
• Is Part Of: European polymer journal. Volume 116(2019)
• Page Start: 471
• Page End: 479
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: Composite -- Semi-conductive polymer -- Functionalization -- Poly(3-hexylthiophene) -- CdS nanoparticles -- Photovoltaic device; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Périodiques; Polymérisation -- Périodiques; Polymerization; Polymers; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2019.04.034
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-3057

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: In-situ oxidative synthesis of P3HT/functionalized-CdS nanocomposites was achieved. First investigation of P3HT/functionalized-CdS composite by in-situ oxidative method. A higher interaction between P3HT and CdS was obtained with functionalized CdS. Absorbance, thermal stability and crystallinity were increased in the composites. Incorporation of functionalized CdS in P3HT caused an increase in the Jsc and η. Abstract: In this work, in-situ oxidative synthesis and properties of composites based in poly(3-hexylthiophene-2, 5-diyl) (P3HT) with functionalized cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoparticles (P3HT/CdS) are reported. CdS nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical precipitation and they were functionalized with diethyl[2-hydroxy-2-(thiophen-3-yl)ethyl]phosphonate. P3HT-CdS composites were synthesized by in-situ oxidative polymerization of 3-hexylthiophene (3HT) monomers in the presence of un-functionalized (as reference) and functionalized CdS nanoparticles (3HT/CdS weight ratio of 1:0.21). P3HT/CdS composites were characterized by 1 H NMR, FTIR, XRD, TGA, UV–Vis, and AFM analysis. Effect of functionalization of CdS on properties in P3HT/CdS composites was studied. A higher interaction between P3HT and CdS was obtained with functionalized CdS. Functionalization of CdS in P3HT-CdS composites led to increased optical absorbance, crystallinity, decomposition temperature and stability. In addition, their evaluation in photovoltaic devices is reported. Higher energy conversion efficiency of glass/ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT-CdS: PC71 BM/PFN/FM devices was achieved when the CdS was functionalized.