Western Kentucky University
Creation of Poly(3-hexylthiophene)-Functionalized Silsesquioxane Nanorods for OrganicBased Solar Cells
Institution
Western Kentucky University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Hemali Rathnayake
Abstract
Polymeric and oligomeric À-conjugated systems have garnered significant interest due to their distinctive electronic properties. These have unique moieties of a silsesquioxane nature. These can be used to produce an electric charge through external stimuli by utilizing donor-acceptor hybrid nanostructures. Significant progress has been made in synthesizing nanoparticles, which utilize these properties. The silsesquioxane nanostructures described herein have had their geometry optimized into the form of nanorods. These show promise as donors in the chargeproducing layer of organic solar cells. The derivatives of poly(3-hexylthiophene) nanorods were synthesized and characterized using TEM and IR spectroscopy. Future studies will focus on their performance in electricity production by analyzing power conversion efficiency.
Creation of Poly(3-hexylthiophene)-Functionalized Silsesquioxane Nanorods for OrganicBased Solar Cells
Polymeric and oligomeric À-conjugated systems have garnered significant interest due to their distinctive electronic properties. These have unique moieties of a silsesquioxane nature. These can be used to produce an electric charge through external stimuli by utilizing donor-acceptor hybrid nanostructures. Significant progress has been made in synthesizing nanoparticles, which utilize these properties. The silsesquioxane nanostructures described herein have had their geometry optimized into the form of nanorods. These show promise as donors in the chargeproducing layer of organic solar cells. The derivatives of poly(3-hexylthiophene) nanorods were synthesized and characterized using TEM and IR spectroscopy. Future studies will focus on their performance in electricity production by analyzing power conversion efficiency.