Efficacious photocurrent generation and carrier transport by quantum dot decorated carbon nanotubes

CdSe/ZnS core/shell quantum dots have been decorated on thin multiwalled and singlewalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by chemical functionalization and substrate gate-bias control. CdSe quantum dots were negatively charged by adding mercaptoacetic acid (MAA). The silicon oxide substrate was decorated by octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) and converted to hydrophobic surface. The negatively charged CdSe/ZnS NCs were adsorbed on the SWCNT surface by applying the negative gate bias. The selective adsorption of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots on SWCNTs was confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscope. Quantum dots decorated carbon nanotubes have been used for effective photogenaration and carrier transport through the organic photovoltaic device which has fabricated using effective polymers. The results clearly indicate the efficient photocurrent generation and carrier transport which effectively increased the efficiency of the device for the next generation organic solar cell applications.