Journal
ACS NANO
Volume 9, Issue 9, Pages 8833-8842Publisher
AMER CHEMICAL SOC
DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.5b02164
Keywords
colloidal quantum dots; photovoltaics; infrared-absorbing solar cell; small band gap
Categories
Funding
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) [KUS-11-009-21]
- Ontario Research Fund Research Excellence Program
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada
- IBM Canada Research and Development Center
- Canada Foundation for Innovation
- Compute Canada
- Government of Ontario
- Ontario Research Fund - Research Excellence
- University of Toronto
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Materials optimized for single-junction solar spectral harvesting, such as silicon, perovskites, and large-band-gap colloidal quantum dot solids, fail to absorb the considerable infrared spectral energy that lies below their respective band gap. Here we explore through modeling and experiment the potential for colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) to augment the performance of solar cells by harnessing transmitted light in the infrared. Through detailed balance modeling, we identify the CQD band gap that is best able to augment wafer-based, thin-film, and also solution-processed photovoltaic (PV) materials. The required quantum dots, with an excitonic peak at 1.3 mu m, have not previously been studied in depth for solar performance. Using computational studies we find that a new ligand scheme distinct from that employed in better-explored 0.95 mu m band gap Pb5 CQDs is necessary; only via the solution-phase application of a short bromothiol can we prevent dot fusion during ensuing solid-state film treatments and simultaneously offer a high valence band-edge density of states to enhance hole transport. Photoluminescence spectra and transient studies confirm the desired narrowed emission peaks and reduced surface-trap-associated decay. Electronic characterization reveals that only through the use of the bromothiol ligands is strong hole transport retained. The films, when used to make PV devices, achieve the highest AM1.5 power conversion efficiency yet reported in a solution-processed material having a sub-1 eV band gap.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available