Fabrication and characterization of photovoltaic devices based on `self corralled' CdSe nanorods functionalized with polythiophene

It has been shown that the CdSe nanorods can be oriented normal to the surface by employing an electric field and a polymer matrix where nanorods phase separate. The nanorods close pack with orientation normal to surface in a thin film when the CdSe nanorods are functionalized with alkane and poly(methyl methacrylate) or poly(3-hexyl thiophene)(P3HT) is the matrix. The film is drop-cast under electric field. The phase separation of the nanorods in polymer matrix can be directed by using a patterned surface. The patterned surface was prepared by soft-lithography. Further, the nanorods functionalized with P3HT are `self corralled' under electric field by using a polymer matrix and photovoltaic devices are fabricated. The devices are characterized and the results for devices with normally oriented nanorods are compared to the devices with nanorods parallel to surface.