title: Solution-phase synthesis of SnSe nanocrystals for use in solar cells.
abstract: Nanocrystals of phase-pure tin(II) selenide (SnSe) were synthesized via a solution-phase route employing stoichiometric amounts of di-tert-butyl diselenide as a novel and facile selenium source. The direct band gap of the resulting nanocrystals (E(g) = 1.71 eV) is significantly blue-shifted relative to the bulk value (E(g) = 1.30 eV), a likely consequence of quantum confinement resulting from the relatively small average diameter of the nanocrystals (mu(D) < 20 nm). Preliminary solar cell devices incorporating SnSe nanocrystals into a poly[2-methoxy-5-(3',7'-dimethyloctyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] matrix demonstrate a significant enhancement in quantum efficiency and short-circuit current density, suggesting that this earth-abundant material could be a valuable component in future photovoltaic devices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and the Center for Energy Nanoscience and Technology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Franzman
authors.forename: Cody W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Schlenker
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Brutchey