Hybrid polymer solar cells based on zinc oxide

We describe a new method towards low-cost, environmentally friendly solar cells. In a simple straightforward procedure, bulk heterojunction hybrid polymer solar cells are made by blending ZnO nanoparticles and a conjugated polymer into a thin film. The efficiency of this new type of solar cell represents a fourfold improvement compared to existing hybrid solar cells based on metal oxides and is similar to those based on cadmium selenides.