Synthesis and characterization of PbS nanocrystals in MDMO-PPV semiconducting polymer for photovoltaic applications

We report on a simple method to synthesize PbS quantum dots directly in poly[2-methoxy-5-(3´,7´-dimethyloctyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] conducting polymer. Optical absorption, photoluminescence and transmission electron microscopy measurements have been performed in order to characterize the colloidal suspension with different proportions of PbS nanocrystals. Results show that as the PbS amount rises, the optical density of the compound increases slightly and the luminescence is partially quenched. Microscopy results show that increasing the amount of quantum dot precursors is followed by a higher density of nanocrystals, although the particle size remains nearly unchanged.