Infrared Colloidal Quantum Dots for Photovoltaics: Fundamentals and Recent Progress

Jiang Tang, Edward H. Sargent

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

446 Scopus citations

Abstract

Colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) are solution-processed semiconductors of interest in low-cost photovoltaics. Tuning of the bandgap of CQD films via the quantum size effect enables customization of solar cells' absorption profile to match the sun's broad visible- and infrared-containing spectrum reaching the earth. Here we review recent progress in the realization of low-cost, efficient solar cells based on CQDs. We focus in particular on CQD materials and approaches that provide both infrared and visible-wavelength solar power conversion CQD photovoltaics now exceed 5% solar power conversion efficiency, achieved by the introduction of a new architecture, the depleted-heterojunction CQD solar cell, that jointly maximizes current, voltage, and fill factor. CQD solar cells have also seen major progress in materials processing for stability, recently achieving extended operating lifetimes in an air ambient. We summarize progress both in device operation and also in gaining new insights into materials properties and processing - including new electrical contact materials and deposition techniques, as well as CQD synthesis, surface treatments, film-forming technologies - that underpin these rapid advances. Infrared colloidal quantum dots that absorb most of the solar radiation enable potential efficient and low-cost photovoltaic devices. Careful optimization of quantum dot passivation and device configuration leads to solar cells with AM1.5G efficiency as high as 5.1% Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)12-29
Number of pages18
JournalAdvanced Materials
Volume23
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 14 2010
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2020-10-01
Acknowledged KAUST grant number(s): KUS-I1-009-21
Acknowledgements: This publication was based on work supported in part by Award No. KUS-I1-009-21, made by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). J. Tang thanks Dr. Ratan Debnath, Dr. Huan Liu, Dr. Xihua Wang and Steven Huang for their kind help during the course of manuscript preparation.
This publication acknowledges KAUST support, but has no KAUST affiliated authors.

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