Efficient Hybrid Solar Cells from Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and a Conjugated Polymer

ZnO nanoparticles dispersed in a semiconducting polymer form the active layer of a solar cell (see Figure) that is able to convert up to 40 % of the incident photons at 500 nm into electrical current and has a power conversion efficiency of about 1.5 % in sunlight. Manufactured at low temperature using environmentally friendly materials, it represents a new step to ‘green electricity'.