Solar cells based on layer-by-layer deposition and ligand exchange of oleic acid capped PbS quantum dots (QDs) with 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) is a very promising research field.  While the sequential deposition and ligand exchange approach is unarguably well suited for making optically thick QD layers with good electronic properties there are still aspects of the system that are not thoroughly understood.  For example: it has not been demonstrated how the performance of MPA capped PbS QD devices depends on the degree of cross linking of QDs.  We have prepared colloidal solutions of PbS QDs using an exchange procedure with 3-mercaptopropionic acid.  The colloidally stable quantum dots are soluble in DMSO and thought to be MPA-capped. We have characterized the optical absorption and emission properties of the QD solutions, and are ascertaining the ligand identity using standard analytical chemistry techniques.  We are comparing the optical and electrical properties of films made by either deposition of pre-exchanged MPA PbS QDs or the above referenced sequential exchange method.

Comparison of optical and electronic properties of PbS quantum dot films made using pre-exchange or in situ exchange of ligands

248th National Meeting (2014)

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