Facile synthesis of phosphine free ultra-small PbSe nanocrystals and their light harvesting studies in ETA solar cells

Abstract

Ultra-small PbSe nanocrystals (NCs) were synthesized via a 'one-pot' approach in olive oil as the reaction medium and capping agent. The optical spectra showed discernible blue shifts in the absorption band edges (570-780 nm) due to strong quantum confinement effects and photoluminescence (PL) spectra showed significant strong emission peaks in the range of 780-850 nm. The broad peaks in the powder X-ray diffraction (p-XRD) pattern indicate the ultra-small size of the as-prepared NCs. These NCs were used to construct an extremely thin absorber (ETA) solar device after surface modification. The preliminary results indicate their potential as light harvesting entities in nanostructure based solar cells.

Lead selenide quantum dots and carbon dots amplify solar conversion capability of a TiO2/CdS photoanode

“…16 In another study, ultrasmall PbSe crystals and an extremely thin absorber layer over a current collector were prepared, and the potential of the lm for a heterojunction solar cell was shown. 17 In another study of note, a heterojunction cell with a combination of PbSe QDs and PbSe nanorods delivered a PCE of $3.5%. 18 While PbSe QDs have been employed in heterojunction solar cells, there are hardly any reports on the use of PbSe QDs in solution based solar cells.…”

Near-infrared lead chalcogenide quantum dots: Synthesis and applications in light emitting diodes*

“…In some case, OLA is used as the coordinating ligands. [68,69] There are many selenium sources which could be used to make selenium precursors in the synthesis of PbSe QDs, such as n-trioctylphosphine selenide (TOP-Se) [66,[77][78][79] and bis(trimethylsilyl)selenium (TMS-Se), [80,81] SeO 2 , [82] and selenourea. [83] In 2001, Murray et al first successfully synthesized high-crystallinity PbSe QDs by hot injection of lead oleate and TOP-Se precursors, and the exciton absorption peak also extended from 1200 nm to 2200 nm.…”