AsianScientist (Sep. 7, 2018) – Scientists in South Korea have enhanced the power conversion efficiency of colloidal quantum dot (CQD)-based solar cells without compromising their stability. They reported their findings in Energy and Environmental Science.
CQD-based solar cells are lightweight, flexible and have superior light-harvesting capabilities as they absorb light in the near-infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Their optical properties can be controlled by changing the sizes of the quantum dots used.
However, CQD-based solar cells still lag behind conventional solar cells in terms of efficiency, stability and cost. Therefore, there is a need to simultaneously improve power conversion efficiency and stability while using an inexpensive electrode material.
In the present study, a research group led by Professor Lee Jung-Yong of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology were able to develop highly stable and efficient CQD-based solar cells by applying an amorphous organic film to the solar cells.
The film is resistant to oxygen and water, thereby protecting the underlying lead sulfide layer which is responsible for energy conversion. Moreover, the introduction of holes into the amorphous organic film reduced interfacial resistance and improved performance of the solar cells.
The team demonstrated that the power conversion efficiency of their device stood at 11.7 percent and maintained over 90 percent of its initial performance when stored for one year under ambient conditions.
“This technology can be also applied to quantum dot light-emitting diode and perovskite devices. I hope this technology can hasten the commercialization of CQD-based solar cells,” said Lee.
The article can be found at: Baek et al. (2018) A Hydro/oxo-phobic Top Hole-selective Layer for Efficient and Stable Colloidal Quantum Dot Solar Cells.
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Source: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology; Photo: Pexels.
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