Highly photostable and efficient semitransparent quantum dot solar cells by using solution-phase ligand exchange

• For semitransparent solar cells (SSCs) the photovoltaic efficiency and the transparency are the two primary objectives for utilization in for example building integrated photovoltaics. Solution-processed PbS colloidal quantum dot (CQD) has strong light absorption in the ultraviolent region and possess the advantages of tunable bandgap in the visible and infrared region. Herein we report a PbS CQD-SSC with tunable infrared light absorption and high photostability by combining experimental studies and numerical theoretical simulations. Through fine-controlling the electro-optics in the CQD-SSC and by using a solution-phase ligand exchange for the CQD solid film deposition, the power loss in the device is significantly decreased, yielding a CQD-SSC with a power conversion efficiency of 8.4% and an average visible transmittance of 21.4%, respectively. After 540 h continuous 100 mW cm(-2) illumination the solar cell still shows similar to 85% of its initial power conversion efficiency, and then recovers to the initial performance after storage in dark. This work provides a strong progress and an approach toward the development of low-cost, highly efficient and stable semitransparent CQD solar cells. Meanwhile this study also provides insight and quantitative guidelines for further improving the SSC photovoltaic efficiency and transparency in general.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Fysikalisk kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Physical Chemistry (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Materialkemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Materials Chemistry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Quantum dot

Ligand exchange

Semitransparent solar cells

Electro-optics

Energy loss

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)