scholarly journals Production of cadmium sulfide quantum dots by the lithobiontic Antarctic strain Pedobacter sp. UYP1 and their application as photosensitizer in solar cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Carrasco ◽  
V. Amarelle ◽  
S. Lagos-Moraga ◽  
C. P. Quezada ◽  
R. Espinoza-González ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Dots ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Cadmium Sulfide ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Spectroscopic Techniques ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Fildes Peninsula ◽  
Cds Qds

Abstract Background Microbes are present in almost every environment on Earth, even in those with extreme environmental conditions such as Antarctica, where rocks may represent the main refuge for life. Lithobiontic communities are composed of microorganisms capable of colonizing rocks and, as it is a not so well studied bacterial community, they may represent a very interesting source of diversity and functional traits with potential for biotechnological applications. In this work we analyzed the ability of Antarctic lithobiontic bacterium to synthesize cadmium sulfide quantum dots (CdS QDs) and their potential application in solar cells. Results A basaltic andesite rock sample was collected from Fildes Peninsula, King George Island, Antarctica, and processed in order to isolate lithobiontic bacterial strains. Out of the 11 selected isolates, strain UYP1, identified as Pedobacter, was chosen for further characterization and analysis due to its high cadmium tolerance. A protocol for the biosynthesis of CdS QDs was developed and optimized for this strain. After 20 and 80 min of synthesis, yellow-green and orange-red fluorescent emissions were observed under UV light, respectively. QDs were characterized through spectroscopic techniques, dynamic light scattering analysis, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Nanostructures of 3.07 nm, composed of 51.1% cadmium and 48.9% sulfide were obtained and further used as photosensitizer material in solar cells. These solar cells were able to conduct electrons and displayed an open circuit voltage of 162 mV, a short circuit current density of 0.0110 mA cm−2, and had an efficiency of conversion up to 0.0016%, which is comparable with data previously reported for solar cells sensitized with biologically produced quantum dots. Conclusions We report a cheap, rapid and eco-friendly protocol for the production of CdS QDs by an Antarctic lithobiontic bacterium, Pedobacter, a genus that was not previously reported as a quantum dot producer. The application of the biosynthesized QDs as sensitizer material in solar cells was validated.

scholarly journals Optical Property and Photoelectrical Performance of a Low-bandgap Conducting Polymer Incorporated with Quantum Dots Used for Organic Solar Cells

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 139
Author(s):  
Tran Thi Thao ◽  
Vu Thi Hai ◽  
Nguyen Nang Dinh ◽  
Le Dinh Trong
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Dots ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Organic Solar Cells ◽  
Fill Factor ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Low Bandgap ◽  
A Value

By using spin-coating technique, a low bandgap conjugated polymer, poly[2,6-(4,4-bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-4H-cyclopen-ta[2,1-b;3,4-b′]dithiophene)-alt-4,7-(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)] (PCPDTBT)  and its composite thin films have been prepared. The optical absorption and photoconductive properties with over a wide spectral range, from 350 to 950  nm, were characterized. The obtained results showed that PCPDTBT:10 wt% CdSe  composite is the most suitable for efficient light-harvesting in polymer-based photovoltaic cells. The photoelectrical conversion efficiency (PCE) of the device with  a multilayer structure of ITO/PEDOT/ PCPDTBT:CdSe /LiF/Al  reached a value as large as 1.34% with an open-circuit voltage (Voc) = 0.57 V, a short-circuit current density (Jsc) = 4.29 mA/cm2, and a fill factor (FF) = 0.27. This suggests a useful application in further fabrication of quantum dots/polymers based solar cells.

scholarly journals The effect of gold quantum dots/grating-coupled surface plasmons in inverted organic solar cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kulrisa Kuntamung ◽  
Patrawadee Yaiwong ◽  
Chutiparn Lertvachirapaiboon ◽  
Ryousuke Ishikawa ◽  
Kazunari Shinbo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Dots ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Organic Solar Cells ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Hole Transport ◽  
Transport Layer ◽  
Hole Transport Layer ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Near Ultraviolet

We studied the effect of gold quantum dots (AuQDs)/grating-coupled surface plasmon resonance (GC-SPR) in inverted organic solar cells (OSCs). AuQDs are located within a GC-SPR evanescent field in inverted OSCs, indicating an interaction between GC-SPR and AuQDs' quantum effects, subsequently giving rise to improvement in the performance of inverted OSCs. The fabricated solar cell device comprises an ITO/TiO 2 /P3HT : PCBM/PEDOT : PSS : AuQD/silver grating structure. The AuQDs were loaded into a hole transport layer (PEDOT : PSS) of the inverted OSCs to increase absorption in the near-ultraviolet (UV) light region and to emit visible light into the neighbouring photoactive layer, thereby achieving light-harvesting improvement of the device. The grating structures were fabricated on P3HT:PCBM layers using a nanoimprinting technique to induce GC-SPR within the inverted OSCs. The AuQDs incorporated within the strongly enhanced GC-SPR evanescent electric field on metallic nanostructures in the inverted OSCs improved the short-circuit current and the efficiency of photovoltaic devices. In comparison with the reference OSC and OSCs with only green AuQDs or only metallic grating, the developed device indicates enhancement of up to 16% power conversion efficiency. This indicates that our light management approach allows for greater light utilization of the OSCs because of the synergistic effect of G-AuQDs and GC-SPR.

scholarly journals Passivation Effect of CsPbI3 Quantum Dots on the Performance and Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells

Photonics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Genjie Yang ◽  
Dianli Zhou ◽  
Jiawen Li ◽  
Junsheng Yu
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Dots ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Active Layer ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Perovskite Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Vacancy Defects ◽  
Key Factor

The quality of active layer film is the key factor affecting the performance of perovskite solar cells. In this work, we incorporated CsPbI3 quantum dots (QDs) materials into the MAPbI3 perovskite precursor to form photoactive layer. On one hand, CsPbI3 QDs can be used as nucleation center to enhance the compactness of the perovskite film, and on the other hand, partially CsPbI3 QDs can be dissociated as anions and cations to passivate vacancy defects in the perovskite active layer. As a result, the film quality of the active layer was improved remarkably, thus exciton recombination was reduced, and carrier transfer increased accordingly. The devices based on doped-CsPbI3 QDs film had higher short circuit current, open circuit voltage and filling factor. Finally, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) was greatly enhanced from 14.85% to 17.04%. Furthermore, optimized devices also exhibited better stability. This work provides an effective strategy for the processing of high-quality perovskite films, which is of great value for the preparation and research of perovskite photoelectronic devices.

scholarly journals Photovoltaic and Impedance Properties of Hierarchical TiO2Nanowire Based Quantum Dot Sensitized Solar Cell

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanullah Fatehmulla ◽  
M. Aslam Manthrammel ◽  
W. A. Farooq ◽  
Syed Mansoor Ali ◽  
M. Atif
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Dots ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Series Resistance ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Cds Quantum Dots ◽  
Silar Method ◽  
Cds Qds ◽  
The Individual

Growth and characterization of TiO2nanowire (NW) assemblies on FTO glass using a typical hydrothermal synthesis have been reported. CdS quantum dots (QDs) have been deposited on TiO2nanowires by successive ion layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. FESEM image exhibits the flower-like hierarchical TiO2bunch of nanowires. HRTEM image confirms the size of CdS QDs between 5 and 6 nm. XRD and absorption studies revealed proper growth of CdS quantum dots on TiO2nanowires. At AM 1.5 illumination intensity, the solar cell, with the configuration FTO/TiO2-NW/CdS-QDs/Pt-FTO, displays a short circuit current (Jsc) of 1.295 mA and an open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.38 V. TheVocandJscshowed linear behavior at higher illumination intensities. The peak in power-voltage characteristics at various illuminations showed a shift towards higherVocvalues. Capacitance-voltage (C-V), conductance-voltage (G-V), and series resistance-voltage (Rs-V) measurements of the cell in the frequency ranging from 5 kHz to 5 MHz showed decreasing trend of capacitance with increase of frequency whereas increase in conductance and decrease in resistance have been noticed with increase of frequency. All the results including the individual behavior of the plots of capacitance, conductance, and series resistance as a function of bias voltage have been discussed.

Improving Charge Transport in PbS Quantum Dot to Al:ZnO Layer by Changing the Size of Quantum Dots in Hybrid Solar Cells

2016 ◽  
Vol 71 (11) ◽  
pp. 1067-1071
Author(s):  
Masood Mehrabian ◽  
Parinaz Abdollahian
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Dots ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Visible Region ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Hybrid Solar Cells ◽  
Photovoltaic Properties ◽  
Photovoltaic Applications ◽  
Pbs Quantum Dots

AbstractPbS Quantum dots and P3HT are promising materials for photovoltaic applications due to their absorption in the NIR and visible region, respectively. Our previous experimental work showed that doping Al to ZnO lattice (Al:ZnO) could efficiently improve the cell performance. In this article, hybrid solar cells containing of two active areas with ITO/Al:ZnO/PbS QDs/P3HT&PCBM/Ag structure were fabricated and the effect of PbS QD size on photovoltaic properties was investigated. Optimised solar cell showed maximum power conversion efficiency of 2.45 % with short-circuit current of 9.36 mA/cm2 and open-circuit voltage of 0.59 V under 1 sun illumination (AM1.5).

Solid state PbS Quantum dots /TiO2 Nanoparticles heterojunction solar cell

2012 ◽  
Vol 1390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lioz Etgar ◽  
Michael Grätzel
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Dots ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solid State ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Layer By Layer ◽  
Heterojunction Solar Cells ◽  
Layer Deposition ◽  
Pbs Quantum Dots ◽  
Open Circuit Photovoltage

ABSTRACTSolid state PbS Quantum Dots (QDs)/TiO2 Nanoparticles heterojunction solar cells were produced by depositing PbS QDs on a 500nm thick Mesoscopic TiO2 films using layer-by-layer deposition. The heterojunction solar cells show photovoltaic response from the visible to the near infra-red region. Importantly, the PbS QDs act here as photosensitizers and at the same time as hole conductors. The PbS QDs/TiO2 device produces a remarkable short circuit photocurrent (Jsc) of 16.3 mA/cm2, an open circuit photovoltage (Voc) of 0.54 V and a fill factor (FF) of 0.41, corresponding to a light to electric power conversion efficiency (η) of 4.04% under 0.9 sun intensity.

Lock-in Thermography-Based Local Efficiency Analysis of Solar Cells

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Otwin Breitenstein
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Efficiency Analysis ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Local Defect ◽  
Whole Cell ◽  
Local Efficiency ◽  
Cell Efficiency ◽  
Lock In ◽  
Efficiency Data

Abstract The electronic properties of solar cells, particularly multicrystalline silicon-based ones, are distributed spatially inhomogeneous, where regions of poor quality may degrade the performance of the whole cell. These inhomogeneities mostly affect the dark current-voltage (I-V) characteristic, which decisively affects the efficiency. Since the grid distributes the local voltage homogeneously across the cell and leads to lateral balancing currents, local light beam-induced current methods alone cannot be used to image local cell efficiency parameters. Lock-in thermography (LIT) is the method of choice for imaging inhomogeneities of the dark I-V characteristic. This contribution introduces a novel method for evaluating a number of LIT images taken at different applied biases. By pixel-wise fitting the data to a two diode model and taking into account local series resistance and short circuit current density data, realistically simulated images of the other cell efficiency parameters (open circuit voltage, fill factor, and efficiency) are obtained. Moreover, simulated local and global dark and illuminated I-V characteristics are obtained, also for various illumination intensities. These local efficiency data are expectation values, which would hold if a homogeneous solar cell had the properties of the selected region of the inhomogeneous cell. Alternatively, also local efficiency data holding for the cell working at its own maximum power point may be generated. The amount of degradation of different cell efficiency parameters in some local defect positions is an indication how dangerous these defects are for degrading this parameter of the whole cell. The method allows to virtually 'cut out' certain defects for checking their influence on the global characteristics. Thus, by applying this method, a detailed local efficiency analysis of locally inhomogeneous solar cells is possible. It can be reliably predicted how a cell would improve if certain defects could be avoided. This method is implemented in a software code, which is available.

scholarly journals CdTe-Based Thin Film Solar Cells: Past, Present and Future

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1684
Author(s):  
Alessandro Romeo ◽  
Elisa Artegiani
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Solar Cell Efficiency ◽  
Cell Efficiency

CdTe is a very robust and chemically stable material and for this reason its related solar cell thin film photovoltaic technology is now the only thin film technology in the first 10 top producers in the world. CdTe has an optimum band gap for the Schockley-Queisser limit and could deliver very high efficiencies as single junction device of more than 32%, with an open circuit voltage of 1 V and a short circuit current density exceeding 30 mA/cm2. CdTe solar cells were introduced at the beginning of the 70s and they have been studied and implemented particularly in the last 30 years. The strong improvement in efficiency in the last 5 years was obtained by a new redesign of the CdTe solar cell device reaching a single solar cell efficiency of 22.1% and a module efficiency of 19%. In this paper we describe the fabrication process following the history of the solar cell as it was developed in the early years up to the latest development and changes. Moreover the paper also presents future possible alternative absorbers and discusses the only apparently controversial environmental impacts of this fantastic technology.

scholarly journals GaInP/GaAs/poly-Si Multi-Junction Solar Cells by in Metal Balls Bonding

Crystals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 726
Author(s):  
Ray-Hua Horng ◽  
Yu-Cheng Kao ◽  
Apoorva Sood ◽  
Po-Liang Liu ◽  
Wei-Cheng Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
Triple Junction ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Metal Line ◽  
Solar Simulator ◽  
Junction Solar Cell

In this study, a mechanical stacking technique has been used to bond together the GaInP/GaAs and poly-silicon (Si) solar wafers. A GaInP/GaAs/poly-Si triple-junction solar cell has mechanically stacked using a low-temperature bonding process which involves micro metal In balls on a metal line using a high-optical-transmission spin-coated glue material. Current–voltage measurements of the GaInP/GaAs/poly-Si triple-junction solar cells have carried out at room temperature both in the dark and under 1 sun with 100 mW/cm2 power density using a solar simulator. The GaInP/GaAs/poly-Si triple-junction solar cell has reached an efficiency of 24.5% with an open-circuit voltage of 2.68 V, a short-circuit current density of 12.39 mA/cm2, and a fill-factor of 73.8%. This study demonstrates a great potential for the low-temperature micro-metal-ball mechanical stacking technique to achieve high conversion efficiency for solar cells with three or more junctions.

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