Colloidal PbSe Solar Cells with Molybdenum Oxide Modified Graphene Anodes

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Photovoltaics

Background:

• Graphene films offer excellent electrical conductivity, optical transparency, and mechanical compliance for photovoltaic device electrodes.
• Graphene anodes in photovoltaic devices often exhibit poor hole collection efficiency due to energy level mismatches with light-harvesting layers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance hole collection efficiency in graphene anodes for photovoltaic devices.
• To develop a cost-effective method for improving graphene anode performance using solution-processed molybdenum oxide (MoOx).

Main Methods:

• A simple solution treatment was applied to graphene.
• A low-cost, solution-processed molybdenum oxide (MoOx) film was deposited onto graphene.
• The work function of graphene and interfacial morphology were modified.
• PbSe nanocrystal solar cells were fabricated using the modified graphene/MoOx anodes.

Main Results:

• The graphene/MoOx anodes exhibited low surface roughness and high electrical conductivity.
• The modified anodes facilitated highly efficient hole transfer.
• PbSe nanocrystal solar cells with graphene/MoOx anodes achieved a 1 sun power conversion efficiency of 3.56%.

Conclusions:

• The graphene/MoOx anode effectively addresses the energy level mismatch issue, significantly improving hole transfer.
• The developed graphene/MoOx anodes demonstrate superior performance compared to traditional indium tin oxide anodes in nanocrystal solar cells.
• Graphene/MoOx anodes show great potential for advanced optoelectronic applications, including efficient solar energy conversion.