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A Modular Microfluidic Technology for Systematic Studies of Colloidal Semiconductor Nanocrystals
Published on: May 10, 2018
Effect of solvent environment on colloidal-quantum-dot solar-cell manufacturability and performance
Ahmad R Kirmani1, Graham H Carey, Maged Abdelsamie
1Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering, Solar and Photovoltaic Engineering Research Center (SPERC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract:
The absorbing layer in state-of-the-art colloidal quantum-dot solar cells is fabricated using a tedious layer-by-layer process repeated ten times. It is now shown that methanol, a common exchange solvent, is the main culprit, as extended exposure leaches off the surface halide passivant, creating carrier trap states. Use of a high-dipole-moment aprotic solvent eliminates this problem and is shown to produce state-of-the-art devices in far fewer steps.
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