Quantum Dot Solar Cells

A. J. Nozik

doi:10.1016/S1386-9477(02)00374-0

Quantum Dot Solar Cells

A. J. Nozik

Chemistry and Nanoscience

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2138 Scopus Citations

Abstract

Quantum dot (QD) solar cells have the potential to increase the maximum attainable thermodynamic conversion efficiency of solar photon conversion up to about 66% by utilizing hot photogenerated carriers to produce higher photovoltages or higher photocurrents. The former effect is based on miniband transport and collection of hot carriers in QD array photoelectrodes before they relax to the band edges through phonon emission. The latter effect is based on utilizing hot carriers in QD solar cells to generate and collect additional electron-hole pairs through enhanced impact ionization processes. Three QD solar cell configurations are described: (1) photoelectrodes comprising QD arrays, (2) QD-sensitized nanocrystalline TiO₂, and (3) QDs dispersed in a blend of electron- and hole-conducting polymers. These high-efficiency configurations require slow hot carrier cooling times, and we discuss initial results on slowed hot electron cooling in InP QDs.

Original language	American English
Pages (from-to)	115-120
Number of pages	6
Journal	Physica E: Low-Dimensional Systems and Nanostructures
Volume	14
Issue number	1-2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/S1386-9477(02)00374-0 https://doi.org/10.1016/S1386-9477(02)00374-0
State	Published - 2002

NREL Publication Number

NREL/JA-590-32888

Keywords

(Ultra-high photovoltaic) conversion efficiency
Efficiency limits
Hot electrons
Impact ionization
Quantum dots

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abstract = "Quantum dot (QD) solar cells have the potential to increase the maximum attainable thermodynamic conversion efficiency of solar photon conversion up to about 66% by utilizing hot photogenerated carriers to produce higher photovoltages or higher photocurrents. The former effect is based on miniband transport and collection of hot carriers in QD array photoelectrodes before they relax to the band edges through phonon emission. The latter effect is based on utilizing hot carriers in QD solar cells to generate and collect additional electron-hole pairs through enhanced impact ionization processes. Three QD solar cell configurations are described: (1) photoelectrodes comprising QD arrays, (2) QD-sensitized nanocrystalline TiO2, and (3) QDs dispersed in a blend of electron- and hole-conducting polymers. These high-efficiency configurations require slow hot carrier cooling times, and we discuss initial results on slowed hot electron cooling in InP QDs.",

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AB - Quantum dot (QD) solar cells have the potential to increase the maximum attainable thermodynamic conversion efficiency of solar photon conversion up to about 66% by utilizing hot photogenerated carriers to produce higher photovoltages or higher photocurrents. The former effect is based on miniband transport and collection of hot carriers in QD array photoelectrodes before they relax to the band edges through phonon emission. The latter effect is based on utilizing hot carriers in QD solar cells to generate and collect additional electron-hole pairs through enhanced impact ionization processes. Three QD solar cell configurations are described: (1) photoelectrodes comprising QD arrays, (2) QD-sensitized nanocrystalline TiO2, and (3) QDs dispersed in a blend of electron- and hole-conducting polymers. These high-efficiency configurations require slow hot carrier cooling times, and we discuss initial results on slowed hot electron cooling in InP QDs.

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KW - Efficiency limits

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KW - Impact ionization

KW - Quantum dots

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Quantum Dot Solar Cells

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Keywords

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