Quantum Dot-Based Photovoltaics

Third-generation photovoltaics promise performance equal to that of silicon solar cells at a fraction of the cost.  We tailor the surface chemistry of lead sulfide quantum dots and other semiconductors used in these low-cost, ultra-thin, solid-state solar cells to make highly efficient, solution processable devices. Researchers in our lab become adept at working in the solid state, creating and characterizing nanoscale materials, building solar cells, and analyzing their efficiency. Common techniques include Schlenk-line synthesis, blade coating, profiling stylus measurements, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and atomic force and scanning electron microscopies. Photovoltaic performance is characterized with a range of instrumentation and techniques in the newly established Claremont Photovoltaics Toolset, including incident photon conversion efficiency, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, photovoltage decay, and intensity-modulated photocurrent and photovoltage spectroscopies.