Quantum Dot Solar Cells. Semiconductor Nanocrystals as Light Harvesters
18 Oct 2008-Journal of Physical Chemistry C (American Chemical Society)-Vol. 112, Iss: 48, pp 18737-18753
TL;DR: In this paper, three major ways to utilize semiconductor dots in solar cell include (i) metal−semiconductor or Schottky junction photovoltaic cell, (ii) polymer−smiconductor hybrid solar cell, and (iii) quantum dot sensitized solar cell.
Abstract: The emergence of semiconductor nanocrystals as the building blocks of nanotechnology has opened up new ways to utilize them in next generation solar cells. This paper focuses on the recent developments in the utilization of semiconductor quantum dots for light energy conversion. Three major ways to utilize semiconductor dots in solar cell include (i) metal−semiconductor or Schottky junction photovoltaic cell (ii) polymer−semiconductor hybrid solar cell, and (iii) quantum dot sensitized solar cell. Modulation of band energies through size control offers new ways to control photoresponse and photoconversion efficiency of the solar cell. Various strategies to maximize photoinduced charge separation and electron transfer processes for improving the overall efficiency of light energy conversion are discussed. Capture and transport of charge carriers within the semiconductor nanocrystal network to achieve efficient charge separation at the electrode surface remains a major challenge. Directing the future resear...
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22 Oct 2015
36 citations
Cites background from "Quantum Dot Solar Cells. Semiconduc..."
...For example, [21] metal-semiconductor junction, polymersemiconductor, and semiconductor-semiconductor systems are well know strategies of quantum dots based solar cell....
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Dataset•
01 May 2015
TL;DR: In this paper, the charge dynamics in solution-processed nanocrystalline CuInS2 solar cells were investigated and the data contained in each of the Figures in the manuscript and the Supplementary Information (prefix F) were extracted.
Abstract: Data supporting publication "Charge Dynamics in Solution-Processed
Nanocrystalline CuInS2 Solar Cells" published in ACS Nano: http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5b00432.
Within the zip file are the data contained in each of the Figures in the
manuscript (prefix F) and the Supplementary Information (prefix S).
36 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a novel semiconductor-sensitized solar cell using a poly(3hexylthiophene) (P3HT)/CdS/ZnO core-shell nanotube array as the photoanode was designed and fabricated.
Abstract: In this article, we designed and fabricated a novel semiconductor-sensitized solar cell using a poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT)/CdS/ZnO core–shell nanotube array as the photoanode. A facile sequent electrodeposition process was employed to prepare the photoanode. The one-dimensional three-component core–shell ordered nanoarray structure was formed by electrodepositing CdS nanoparticles and a thin P3HT layer onto the walls of ZnO nanotubes, which enhanced the optical absorption in the visible region and presented an interface between n-type CdS and p-type P3HT to improve the charge separation. An energy conversion efficiency up to 1.28% was obtained with the designed nanostructured solar cell based on the P3HT/CdS/ZnO nanotube array.
36 citations
TL;DR: The mechanism for the procedure of abatement of air and water pollutants by catalysis is discussed and a research orientation on environment catalysis for the treatment of air pollutants and wastewater is proposed.
Abstract: This review reports the research progress in the abatement of major pollutants in air and water by environmental catalysis For air pollution control, the selective catalytic reduction of NOx (SCR) by ammonia and hydrocarbons on metal oxide and zeolite catalysts are reviewed and discussed, as is the removal of Hg from flue gas by catalysis The oxidation of Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by photo- and thermal-catalysis for indoor air quality improvement is reviewed For wastewater treatment, the catalytic elimination of inorganic and organic pollutants in wastewater is presented In addition, the mechanism for the procedure of abatement of air and water pollutants by catalysis is discussed in this review Finally, a research orientation on environment catalysis for the treatment of air pollutants and wastewater is proposed
36 citations
Cites methods from "Quantum Dot Solar Cells. Semiconduc..."
...Also anatase-oxide contact using WO3, SnO, ZrO2, or other systems aiming at influencing the electron-hole charge separation process was attempted [244,250]....
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TL;DR: In this paper, a simple and facile hydrothermal approach for the synthesis of highly green luminescent nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots (NCQDs) was reported, and the prepared NCQDs show narrow size distribution of 2-3nm, abundant surface functional groups and good water solubility.
36 citations
References
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TL;DR: In this article, an upper theoretical limit for the efficiency of p−n junction solar energy converters, called the detailed balance limit of efficiency, has been calculated for an ideal case in which the only recombination mechanism of holeelectron pairs is radiative as required by the principle of detailed balance.
Abstract: In order to find an upper theoretical limit for the efficiency of p‐n junction solar energy converters, a limiting efficiency, called the detailed balance limit of efficiency, has been calculated for an ideal case in which the only recombination mechanism of hole‐electron pairs is radiative as required by the principle of detailed balance. The efficiency is also calculated for the case in which radiative recombination is only a fixed fraction fc of the total recombination, the rest being nonradiative. Efficiencies at the matched loads have been calculated with band gap and fc as parameters, the sun and cell being assumed to be blackbodies with temperatures of 6000°K and 300°K, respectively. The maximum efficiency is found to be 30% for an energy gap of 1.1 ev and fc = 1. Actual junctions do not obey the predicted current‐voltage relationship, and reasons for the difference and its relevance to efficiency are discussed.
11,071 citations
TL;DR: Many potential applications have been proposed for carbon nanotubes, including conductive and high-strength composites; energy storage and energy conversion devices; sensors; field emission displays and radiation sources; hydrogen storage media; and nanometer-sized semiconductor devices, probes, and interconnects.
Abstract: Many potential applications have been proposed for carbon nanotubes, including conductive and high-strength composites; energy storage and energy conversion devices; sensors; field emission displays and radiation sources; hydrogen storage media; and nanometer-sized semiconductor devices, probes, and interconnects. Some of these applications are now realized in products. Others are demonstrated in early to advanced devices, and one, hydrogen storage, is clouded by controversy. Nanotube cost, polydispersity in nanotube type, and limitations in processing and assembly methods are important barriers for some applications of single-walled nanotubes.
9,693 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the carrier collection efficiency and energy conversion efficiency of polymer photovoltaic cells were improved by blending of the semiconducting polymer with C60 or its functionalized derivatives.
Abstract: The carrier collection efficiency (ηc) and energy conversion efficiency (ηe) of polymer photovoltaic cells were improved by blending of the semiconducting polymer with C60 or its functionalized derivatives. Composite films of poly(2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene) (MEH-PPV) and fullerenes exhibit ηc of about 29 percent of electrons per photon and ηe of about 2.9 percent, efficiencies that are better by more than two orders of magnitude than those that have been achieved with devices made with pure MEH-PPV. The efficient charge separation results from photoinduced electron transfer from the MEH-PPV (as donor) to C60 (as acceptor); the high collection efficiency results from a bicontinuous network of internal donor-acceptor heterojunctions.
9,611 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe recent progress in the theory of nanoparticle optical properties, particularly methods for solving Maxwell's equations for light scattering from particles of arbitrary shape in a complex environment.
Abstract: The optical properties of metal nanoparticles have long been of interest in physical chemistry, starting with Faraday's investigations of colloidal gold in the middle 1800s. More recently, new lithographic techniques as well as improvements to classical wet chemistry methods have made it possible to synthesize noble metal nanoparticles with a wide range of sizes, shapes, and dielectric environments. In this feature article, we describe recent progress in the theory of nanoparticle optical properties, particularly methods for solving Maxwell's equations for light scattering from particles of arbitrary shape in a complex environment. Included is a description of the qualitative features of dipole and quadrupole plasmon resonances for spherical particles; a discussion of analytical and numerical methods for calculating extinction and scattering cross-sections, local fields, and other optical properties for nonspherical particles; and a survey of applications to problems of recent interest involving triangula...
9,086 citations
TL;DR: Semiconductor nanocrystals prepared for use as fluorescent probes in biological staining and diagnostics have a narrow, tunable, symmetric emission spectrum and are photochemically stable.
Abstract: Semiconductor nanocrystals were prepared for use as fluorescent probes in biological staining and diagnostics. Compared with conventional fluorophores, the nanocrystals have a narrow, tunable, symmetric emission spectrum and are photochemically stable. The advantages of the broad, continuous excitation spectrum were demonstrated in a dual-emission, single-excitation labeling experiment on mouse fibroblasts. These nanocrystal probes are thus complementary and in some cases may be superior to existing fluorophores.
8,542 citations