Nanowire-quantum-dot solar cells and the influence of nanowire length on the charge collection efficiency

Leschkies, Kurtis S.; Jacobs, Alan G.; Norris, David J.; Aydil, Eray S.

doi:10.1063/1.3258490

Cited by 94 publications

(82 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Leschkies et al obtained a higher efficiency of 2 % by filling hydrothermal ZnO NW arrays with PbSe quantum dots [121]. The PbSe was applied by dip coating the NWs in colloidal solutions, resulting in the device structure shown in Figure 13 (b).…”

Section: Performance Of Ultra-low-cost Nanostructured Inorganic Solarmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nanostructured Inorganic Solar Cells

Musselman¹,

Schmidt‐Mende²

2011

Green

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Abstract. Recent progress in the development of nanostructured inorganic solar cells is reviewed. Nanostructuring of inorganic solar cells offers the possibility of reducing the cost of photovoltaics by allowing smaller amounts of lowergrade photovoltaic semiconductors to be used. Various fabrication methods used to nanostructure traditional photovoltaic semiconductors are detailed and the performance of resulting devices is discussed. The synthesis of solar cells by solution-based methods using less traditional, abundant materials is identified as a promising route to widescale photovoltaic electricity generation, and nanostructured solar cell geometries are highlighted as essential in this approach. Templating and self-assembling methods used to produce appropriate low-cost nanostructures from solutions are detailed, and the performance of preliminary ultra-lowcost cells made with these structures is reviewed.Keywords. Photovoltaic, nanostructured, inorganic. PACS® (2010). 81.07.-b, 88.40.hj, 88.40.hm. Why Nanostructure? An Introduction to the TopicIt has been predicted that the world's annual energy consumption will grow from its 2009 level of around 15 terawatt-years (TWyr) to as much as 30 TWyr by 2050 [1,2]. With more than 100,000 TW of solar power striking the earth at anytime, photovoltaic technology has long been regarded as an integral part of the solution to the world's energy problems [2,3]. Yet, the high cost of traditional photovoltaic technologies has prevented them from displacing a meaningful fraction of the electricity we derive from fossil fuel sources. Fortunately, the prospects for inexpensive photovoltaic electricity generation are improving. In recent years much research has focused on reducing the price, or cost per watt, of photovoltaic cells. In particular, the emergence of fabrication and characterization techniques on the nanometer scale (nanotechnology) has enabled new strategies to harness the sun's power in a cost-effective way. In this review, the manner in which nanotechnology is being used to improve the cost-performance balance of photovoltaic cells composed of inorganic semiconductors will be discussed. The basics of solar cell operation will be briefly explained and traditional solar cells composed of expensive, highly-crystalline inorganic semiconductors will be summarized. Next, we will explain how controlling the morphology of the semiconductors on the scale of hundreds of nanometres or less can improve the collection of electricity-generating charges from the cells, reducing their stringent materials requirements and permitting cheaper fabrication. Various techniques for fabricating nanostructures of traditional photovoltaic semiconductors will be detailed and the performance of state of the art nanostructured inorganic solar cells will be reported. A discussion will follow, in which the availability of traditional photovoltaic semiconductors and the methods for producing relevant nanostructures will be evaluated in the context of whether truly inexpensive solar cells can...

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Section: Performance Of Ultra-low-cost Nanostructured Inorganic Solarmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nanostructured Inorganic Solar Cells

Musselman¹,

Schmidt‐Mende²

2011

Green

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“…[ 19 ] Alternatively, the semiconductors can be directly nanostructured, as illustrated in inset (iii). A variety of semiconducting nanowire and nanotube morphologies have been used to improve charge collection in hybrid organicinorganic, [ 11 , 20 ] dye-sensitized, [ 21 ] extremely thin absorber, [ 22 ] and inorganic solar cells (Si, [ 23 , 24 ] CdS-CdTe, [ 25 ] PbSe quantum dots, [ 26 ] GaAs [ 27 ] ). With the exception of toxic PbSe, the synthesis of all of these inorganic nanowire cells involved physical or chemical vapor deposition/etching in vacuum and high-temperature treatments.…”

Section: Doi: 101002/adma201001455mentioning

confidence: 99%

Strong Efficiency Improvements in Ultra‐low‐Cost Inorganic Nanowire Solar Cells

et al. 2010

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“…Then, Luther et al 88 reported ZnO/PbS QDHSCs with a certified PCE of 3%. The bulk HQDSCs with ZnO NWs and PbSe QDs were also first demonstrated by Leschkies et al 144 with a PCE of 2%. The main reason for the poor photovoltaic performance of the QDHSCs, especially the low V oc , is the interfacial recombination.…”

Section: Quantum Dot Heterojunction Solar Cellsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Recent progress on quantum dot solar cells: a review

2016

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Abstract. Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) have a potential to increase the power conversion efficiency in photovoltaic operation because of the enhancement of photoexcitation. Recent advances in self-assembled QD solar cells (QDSCs) and colloidal QDSCs are reviewed, with a focus on understanding carrier dynamics. For intermediate-band solar cells using selfassembled QDs, suppression of a reduction of open circuit voltage presents challenges for further efficiency improvement. This reduction mechanism is discussed based on recent reports. In QD sensitized cells and QD heterojunction cells using colloidal QDs well-controlled heterointerface and surface passivation are key issues for enhancement of photovoltaic performances. The improved performances of colloidal QDSCs are presented. © The Authors. Published by SPIE under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. Distribution or reproduction of this work in whole or in part requires full attribution of the original publication, including its DOI.

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Nanowire-quantum-dot solar cells and the influence of nanowire length on the charge collection efficiency

Cited by 94 publications

References 34 publications

Nanostructured Inorganic Solar Cells

Nanostructured Inorganic Solar Cells

Strong Efficiency Improvements in Ultra‐low‐Cost Inorganic Nanowire Solar Cells

Recent progress on quantum dot solar cells: a review

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