Photovoltaiccells made from all-inorganic nanocrystals offer advantages in terms ofstability over polymer-based solar cells. Multiple Exciton Generation (MEG) pathwayis currently explored in quantum confined semiconducting nanoparticles toincrease the efficiency of solar cells. Colloidal preparations ofsemiconducting nanoparticles are the preferred method for device fabrication.However, the colloidal synthesis of Si and Ge are not well established as themetal chalcogenide systems. Reported methods in literature for Ge nanoparticlesdo not offer much control on size and morphology. In addition many of thesemethods provide low yields. In this work, germanium nanoparticles have beensynthesized by the reaction of germanium iodide with hexamethyldisilazane in a mixtureof oleylamine and oleic acid under Ar at =300�C. Reaction conditions have been optimizedto prepare monodisperse nanoparticles in high yields. Ge nanoparticles ofdifferent sizes will be prepared and the size effect will eventually be testedon the photovoltaic properties.

Germanium nanoparticles for solar energy conversion

242nd National Meeting (2011)

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