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 work reviews the historical development of Transition metal dichalcogenides, methods for preparing atomically thin layers, their electronic and optical properties, and prospects for future advances in electronics and optoelectronics.
Abstract: Single-layer metal dichalcogenides are two-dimensional semiconductors that present strong potential for electronic and sensing applications complementary to that of graphene.
13,348 citations
TL;DR: Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) offer the possibilities to design solar cells with a large flexibility in shape, color, and transparency as mentioned in this paper, and many DSC research groups have been established around the world.
Abstract: Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) offer the possibilities to design solar cells with a large flexibility in shape, color, and transparency. DSC research groups have been established around the worl ...
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TL;DR: Nanocrystals (NCs) discussed in this Review are tiny crystals of metals, semiconductors, and magnetic material consisting of hundreds to a few thousand atoms each that are among the hottest research topics of the last decades.
Abstract: Nanocrystals (NCs) discussed in this Review are tiny crystals of metals, semiconductors, and magnetic material consisting of hundreds to a few thousand atoms each. Their size ranges from 2-3 to about 20 nm. What is special about this size regime that placed NCs among the hottest research topics of the last decades? The quantum mechanical coupling * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: dvtalapin@uchicago.edu. † The University of Chicago. ‡ Argonne National Lab. Chem. Rev. 2010, 110, 389–458 389
3,720 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the development of different strategies to modify TiO2 for the utilization of visible light, including non metal and/or metal doping, dye sensitization and coupling semiconductors are discussed.
Abstract: Fujishima and Honda (1972) demonstrated the potential of titanium dioxide (TiO2) semiconductor materials to split water into hydrogen and oxygen in a photo-electrochemical cell. Their work triggered the development of semiconductor photocatalysis for a wide range of environmental and energy applications. One of the most significant scientific and commercial advances to date has been the development of visible light active (VLA) TiO2 photocatalytic materials. In this review, a background on TiO2 structure, properties and electronic properties in photocatalysis is presented. The development of different strategies to modify TiO2 for the utilization of visible light, including non metal and/or metal doping, dye sensitization and coupling semiconductors are discussed. Emphasis is given to the origin of visible light absorption and the reactive oxygen species generated, deduced by physicochemical and photoelectrochemical methods. Various applications of VLA TiO2, in terms of environmental remediation and in particular water treatment, disinfection and air purification, are illustrated. Comprehensive studies on the photocatalytic degradation of contaminants of emerging concern, including endocrine disrupting compounds, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, cyanotoxins and volatile organic compounds, with VLA TiO2 are discussed and compared to conventional UV-activated TiO2 nanomaterials. Recent advances in bacterial disinfection using VLA TiO2 are also reviewed. Issues concerning test protocols for real visible light activity and photocatalytic efficiencies with different light sources have been highlighted.
3,305 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discussed the steps that have led to this discovery, and the future of this rapidly advancing concept have been considered, and it is likely that the next few years of solar research will advance this technology to the very highest efficiencies while retaining the very lowest cost and embodied energy.
Abstract: Over the last 12 months, we have witnessed an unexpected breakthrough and rapid evolution in the field of emerging photovoltaics, with the realization of highly efficient solid-state hybrid solar cells based on organometal trihalide perovskite absorbers. In this Perspective, the steps that have led to this discovery are discussed, and the future of this rapidly advancing concept have been considered. It is likely that the next few years of solar research will advance this technology to the very highest efficiencies while retaining the very lowest cost and embodied energy. Provided that the stability of the perovskite-based technology can be proven, we will witness the emergence of a contender for ultimately low-cost solar power.
2,506 citations
References
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TL;DR: In this article, the size dependence of the band gaps in colloidal InP quantum wires is determined from the absorption spectra, and compared to other experimental results for InP Quantum dots and wires, and to the predictions of theory.
Abstract: Colloidal InP quantum wires are grown by the solution-liquid-solid (SLS) method, and passivated with the traditional quantum dots surfactants 1-hexadecylamine and tri-n-octylphosphine oxide. The size dependence of the band gaps in the wires are determined from the absorption spectra, and compared to other experimental results for InP quantum dots and wires, and to the predictions of theory. The photoluminescence behavior of the wires is also investigated. Efforts to enhance photoluminescence efficiencies through photochemical etching in the presence of HF result only in photochemical thinning or photooxidation, without a significant influence on quantum-wire photoluminescence. However, photooxidation produces residual dot and rod domains within the wires, which are luminescent. The results establish that the quantum-wire band gaps are weakly influenced by the nature of the surface passivation and that colloidal quantum wires have intrinsically low photoluminescence efficiencies.
57 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of polymer derivatization and nanocrystal size on charge separation in conjugated polymers and cadmium selenide nanocrystals were investigated.
57 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a self-assembled-monolayer (SAM) technique was employed to attach the quantum dots onto the nanobelts and the resulting nanostructure assembly and composition was confirmed via transmission-electron-microscopy (TEM) imaging, Raman spectroscopy, UV-visible absorption spectro-spectroscopy (UV-vis), and X-ray photoelectron spectroanalysis (XPS).
Abstract: This work presents the successful noncovalent attachment of ∼5 nm diameter cadmium-sulfur-selenium (CdSSe) quantum dots on strips of anatase TiO 2 nanobelts. The TiO 2 nanobelts were hydrothermally synthesized from a strong alkaline solution and subsequently heat-treated to achieve the anatase phase. The self-assembled-monolayer (SAM) technique was employed to attach the quantum dots onto the nanobelts. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the quantum dots, the surface of the nanobelts was first self-assembled with a layer of hydrophobic organic layer before both mixtures were added together. The resulting nanostructure assembly and composition was confirmed via transmission-electron-microscopy (TEM) imaging, Raman spectroscopy, UV-visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-vis), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Both Raman and UV-vis spectroscopies indicate evidence of interactions between the quantum dots and nanobelts. The visible-light sensitizing effect of the quantum dots was demonstrated in photocurrent experiments.
56 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the relaxation dynamics of photoexcited CdSe quantum rods have been studied with femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy and it was shown that the intraband energy relaxation is about 8 times faster in thin rods than in the thick ones.
Abstract: Electronic relaxation dynamics of photoexcited CdSe quantum rods have been studied with femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. Samples with the same length, ∼30 nm, but with different diameters, 2.5 and 8.0 nm, were investigated. We found that the intraband energy relaxation is about 8 times faster in the thin rods than in the thick ones. A comparison is made between relaxation dynamics in quantum rods and dots, and different relaxation mechanisms are discussed.
55 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the reaction between selenosulfate and Cd ions in aqueous solution to form CdSe is investigated, which is initially white (mainly CdSO3), turns yellow and finally orange.
Abstract: We investigate the reaction between selenosulfate and (noncomplexed) Cd ions in aqueous solution to form CdSe. The resulting precipitate, which is initially white (mainly CdSO3), turns yellow and finally orange. The initial precipitate is CdSO3, which gradually reacts with selenosulfate to give CdSe. The CdSe forms as a disordered phase surrounding the CdSO3, and this largely amorphous CdSe breaks off from the CdSO3 crystals to form nanocrystals of CdSe. The color changes during the reaction, due to size quantization of the CdSe nanocrystals, were correlated with the measured CdSe crystal sizes.
55 citations