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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TL;DR: This article analyzes and summarizes recent developments and newly emerging research fields related to thiol-capped CdTe nanocrystals, the most successful example of the colloidal quantum dots directly synthesized in aqueous solution.
Abstract: This article analyzes and summarizes recent developments and newly emerging research fields related to thiol-capped CdTe nanocrystals, the most successful example of the colloidal quantum dots directly synthesized in aqueous solution. Progress in the synthesis and design of novel materials and functionalities, sophisticated assemblies of thiol-capped nanocrystals, development and validation of analytical and spectroscopic methods relying on thiol-capped CdTe nanocrystals as a model system, and, finally, applications of thiol-capped semiconductor nanocrystals in various fields ranging from light harvesting and energy transfer to biotechnology are addressed.
114 citations
TL;DR: A didactic overview of fundamental physical phenomena associated with quantum dots and paradigm examples of how these phenomena can and have been readily exploited for manifold uses in nanobiotechnology with a specific focus on their implementation in in vitro diagnostic assays and biodetection are presented.
Abstract: Quantum dots are semiconductor nanocrystals that exhibit exceptional optical and electrical behaviors not found in their bulk counterparts. Following seminal work in the development of water-soluble quantum dots in the late 1990's, researchers have sought to develop interesting and novel ways of exploiting the extraordinary properties of quantum dots for biomedical applications. Since that time, over 10 000 articles have been published related to the use of quantum dots in biomedicine, many of which regard their use in detection and diagnostic bioassays. This review presents a didactic overview of fundamental physical phenomena associated with quantum dots and paradigm examples of how these phenomena can and have been readily exploited for manifold uses in nanobiotechnology with a specific focus on their implementation in in vitro diagnostic assays and biodetection.
114 citations
TL;DR: The developed soft and hard template methods, along with the CASH method, allow control of the pore size, wall composition, and pore structure, providing insight into material design and optimization for better electrode performances in these types of energy conversion devices.
Abstract: This feature article presents recent progress made in the synthesis of functional ordered mesoporous materials and their application as high performance electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) and quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs), fuel cells, and Li-ion batteries. Ordered mesoporous materials have been mainly synthesized using two representative synthetic methods: the soft template and hard template methods. To overcome the limitations of these two methods, a new method called CASH was suggested. The CASH method combines the advantages of the soft and hard template methods by employing a diblock copolymer, PI-b-PEO, which contains a hydrophilic block and an sp(2)-hybridized-carbon-containing hydrophobic block as a structure-directing agent. After discussing general techniques used in the synthesis of mesoporous materials, this article presents recent applications of mesoporous materials as electrodes in DSCs and QDSCs, fuel cells, and Li-ion batteries. The role of material properties and mesostructures in device performance is discussed in each case. The developed soft and hard template methods, along with the CASH method, allow control of the pore size, wall composition, and pore structure, providing insight into material design and optimization for better electrode performances in these types of energy conversion devices. This paper concludes with an outlook on future research directions to enable breakthroughs and overcome current limitations in this field.
113 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of carbon nanodots on the ultraweak chemiluminescence reaction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and sodium bisulfite (NaHSO3) were explored for the first time.
Abstract: In this work, carbon nanodots were synthesized through a novel solvothermal route, and the effects of carbon nanodots on the ultraweak chemiluminescence (CL) reaction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and sodium bisulfite (NaHSO3) were explored for the first time. It was found that the CL emission intensity of H2O2–HSO3– was significantly enhanced by carbon nanodots: about 60-fold increase in the CL intensity was obtained. The enhanced CL was induced by the excited-state carbon nanodots (CD*), which could be produced from the electron-transfer annihilation of positively charged carbon nanodots (CD•+) and negatively charged carbon nanodots (CD•–). Radical scavengers such as nitro blue tetrazolium chloride (NBT), sodium azide, thiourea, 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide, and ascorbic acid were used to study the intermediate species. The intermediate radicals generated during the reaction of H2O2 and NaHSO3, such as hydroxide radical (•OH), sulfate anionic radical (SO4•–), superoxide anionic radical (•O2–), and sul...
113 citations
TL;DR: The detection and characterisation of engineered nanomaterials in the environment is essential for exposure and risk assessment for this emerging class of materials as mentioned in this paper, however, the ubiquitous presence of naturally occurring nanoparticles presents a unique challenge for the accurate determination of engineered nano-materials in environmental matrices.
Abstract: Environmental context The detection and characterisation of engineered nanomaterials in the environment is essential for exposure and risk assessment for this emerging class of materials. However, the ubiquitous presence of naturally occurring nanomaterials presents a unique challenge for the accurate determination of engineered nanomaterials in environmental matrices. New techniques and methodologies are being developed to overcome some of these issues by taking advantage of subtle differences in the elemental and isotopic ratios within these nanomaterials. Abstract The increasing manufacture and implementation of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) will continue to lead to the release of these materials into the environment. Reliably assessing the environmental exposure risk of ENMs will depend highly on the ability to quantify and characterise these materials in environmental samples. However, performing these measurements is obstructed by the complexity of environmental sample matrices, physiochemical processes altering the state of the ENM and the high background of naturally occurring nanoparticles (NNPs), which may be similar in size, shape and composition to their engineered analogues. Current analytical techniques can be implemented to overcome some of these obstacles, but the ubiquity of NNPs presents a unique challenge requiring the exploitation of properties that discriminate engineered and natural nanomaterials. To this end, new techniques are being developed that take advantage of the nature of ENMs to discern them from naturally occurring analogues. This paper reviews the current techniques utilised in the detection and characterisation of ENMs in environmental samples as well as discusses promising new approaches to overcome the high backgrounds of NNPs. Despite their occurrence in the atmosphere and soil, this review will be limited to a discussion of aqueous-based samples containing ENMs, as this environment will serve as a principal medium for the environmental dispersion of ENMs.
112 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.
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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.
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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.
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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