Document Type
Grant
Publication Date
9-1-2022
Department
Chemistry
Location
Winona, Minnesota
Keywords
Chemistry, Nanoparticles, Solar Cells
Abstract
Over the past several years, interest in nanoparticle-derived solar cells has increased due primarily to their low material cost, high potential efficiency, solution processability, and desirable and tunable optoelectronic properties. In this work, oleic acid-capped CdSe nanoparticles (CdSe-OLA) were synthesized. The surfaces of these particles were then modified with sodium 3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonate (MPS) and sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate (MES) via biphasic ligand exchange reactions to create particles that have a higher propensity to move charge in a working solar cell. The CdSe-OLA, CdSe-MPS and CdSe-MES particles were confirmed by 1H NMR, UV-Vis, and FTIR spectroscopy. Thin film solar cells containing these three nanoparticle products will be constructed and tested.
First Advisor
Jennifer Zemke
