Colloidal PbS quantum dot solar cells with high fill factor

We fabricate PbS colloidal quantum dot (QD)-based solar cells using a fullerene derivative as the electron-transporting layer (ETL). A thiol treatment and oxidation process are used to modify the morphology and electronic structure of the QD films, resulting in devices that exhibit a fill factor (FF) as high as 62%. We also show that, for QDs with a band gap of less than 1 eV, an open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 0.47 V can be achieved. The power conversion efficiency reaches 1.3% under 1 sun AM1.5 test conditions and 2.4% under monochromatic infrared (lambda=1310 nm) illumination. A consistent mechanism for device operation is developed through a circuit model and experimental measurements, shedding light on new approaches for optimization of solar cell performance by modifying the interface between the QDs and the neighboring charge transport layers.