Improvement in the Photosensitivity of MEH-PPV by Incorporating ZnO Nanoparticles of Different Morphology for Photovoltaic Application

In this study we have synthesized ZnO nanoparticles of rod-like, sphere-like and flower-like structure in solvothermal route by using different capping agent. With the help of XRD data, using Shearer’s equation the average particle size of different morphologies were calculated as 86, 57 and 26 nm for flower-like, sphere-like and rod-like ZnO respectively. The direct band gap energies of the nanoparticle were calculated as 3.46 eV, 3.65 eV and 3.68 eV by using Tauc’s plot. Electrical property of MEH-PPV thin film with ZnO NP (flower, sphere and rod like structure) was studied by measuring the dark and photo conductivity of the material and their applicability as an active layer of organic-inorganic hybrid solar cell was also studied. The photoconducting behaviors of MEH-PPV and as synthesized ZnO nanoparticles of different morphology were compared for the application of organic-inorganic hybrid solar cell. This study reveals that the composite film prepared with MEH-PPV and wide band gap ZnO sphere like structure show highest photosensitivity.