Quantum dots are nanoparticles of semiconductors that can release energy of exciton as electrical current or fluorescent light. Because of this, the use of quantum dots has become an area of interest in the replacement of conventional silicon with quantum dots in solar cells as it would offer a wide range of benefits such as reducing cost, simple fabrication, and variability of band gaps. However, several issues with the potential use of quantum dot solar cells exist. These problems include the instability of films, charge recombination, and bulky ligands. To surpass these problems, research focuses on encapsulating quantum dot cores of PbS with an outer shell of CdS or ZnS on an all inorganic thin films using a low temperature method. To monitor the effectiveness of our films, absorbance and fluorescence measurements were taken. Thin films made of a specific ratio of PbS to ZnS spacers were then encapsulated with CdS or ZnS using modified Atomic Layer Deposition method displayed partially restored florescence of the original PbS+ZnS films. The results show that these films if further improved have the potential to be used in photovoltaic applications (Supported by the Welch Foundation Departmental Grant U-0047).

PbS/CdS and PbS/ZnS all inorganic quantum dot thin films for solar cells

251st National Meeting (2016)

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