Synthesis and characterization of PVP-capped CdSe nanoparticles embedded in PVA matrix for photovoltaic application

Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) capped cadmium selenide (CdSe) nanoparticles embedded in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix are reported. PVP–CdSe nanoparticles are prepared by a non-aqueous method wherein cadmium chloride is used as the cadmium source and sodium selenate as the selenium source. The nanocomposites are characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies. XRD and TEM studies show the formation of cubic CdSe particles with an average size of 2.3 ± 0.2 nm. The synthesized nanoparticles are dispersed in the PVA matrix and cast as self-standing flexible (PVP–CdSe)–PVA films. These films are characterized by optical absorption spectroscopy, by which optical band energy gaps as well as the average particle size of CdSe nanoparticles were calculated. The I – V characteristic curve of the (PVP–CdSe)–PVA film shows a photovoltaic cell-like behaviour. The electromotive force generated from the (PVP–CdSe)–PVA film as a function of light intensity was also studied.