Non-toxic, colloidal ZnS-AgInS2 nanoparticles for organic-inorganic hybrid photovoltaics

Non-toxic, colloidal ZnS-AgInS2 nanoparticles are synthesized and characterized for organic-inorganic hybrid photovoltaic applications. The optical properties of these particles are easily tuned by changing the chemical composition of the nanoparticle. Additionally, the photoluminescence quantum yield of 37.5% suggests this material is a promising candidate for optoelectronic devices. A comparison of the photoluminescence spectra of ZnS-AgInS2 nanoparticle and poly-3(hexylthiophene) blends to poly-3(hexylthiophene) neat indicates charge transfer between the nanoparticle and the polymer occurs in solution. Photovoltaic devices were fabricated using blends of ZnS-AgInS2 nanoparticles, poly-3(hexylthiophene) and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester, yielding an average power conversion efficiency of 2.3%.