Investigation of Photoelectron Properties of Polymer Films with Silicon Nanoparticles

Hybrid samples consisting of polymer poly-3(hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and silicon nanoparticles were prepared. It was found that the obtained samples were polymer matrixes with conglomerates of silicon nanoparticles of different sizes (10–104 nm). It was found that, under illumination, the process of nonequilibrium charge carrier separation between the silicon nanoparticles and P3HT with subsequent localization of the hole in the polymer can be successfully detected using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. It was established that the main type of paramagnetic centers in P3HT/silicon nanoparticles are positive polarons in P3HT. For comparison, samples consisting only of polymer and silicon nanoparticles were also investigated by the EPR technique. The polarons in the P3HT and Pb centers in the silicon nanoparticles were observed. The possibility of the conversion of solar energy into electric energy is shown using structures consisting of P3HT polymer and silicon nanoparticles prepared by different methods, including the electrochemical etching of a silicon single crystal in hydrofluoric acid solution and the laser ablation of single-crystal silicon in organic solvents. The results can be useful for solar cell development.