Functionalized rGO Interlayers Improve the Fill Factor and Current Density in PbS QDs-Based Solar Cells

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Graphene-quantum dot (QD) nanocomposites are promising for optoelectronics like photodetectors and solar cells.
• Combining QDs' optical properties with graphene's electrical properties can boost solar cell efficiency.
• Functionalized reduced graphene oxide (f-rGO) is explored to enhance QD-based solar cell active layers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of (3-mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane functionalized reduced graphene oxide (f-rGO) on quantum dot (QD) solar cells.
• To explore different strategies for embedding f-rGO within the QD active layer.
• To correlate structural and electrical improvements with enhanced solar cell performance.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of QD-based solar cells with varying f-rGO integration strategies.
• Insertion of f-rGO interlayers between lead sulfide (PbS) QD layers.
• Characterization of morphological and electrical properties of the fabricated solar cells.

Main Results:

• Solar cells with f-rGO interlayers exhibited significantly higher current density and fill factor.
• Improved layer homogeneity and reduced trap-state densities were observed.
• Higher charge carrier concentrations and effective blocking of minor charge carriers contributed to efficiency gains.

Conclusions:

• Embedding f-rGO as interlayers is an effective strategy to enhance the performance of QD-based solar cells.
• The improvements are attributed to better film morphology, reduced charge carrier recombination, and enhanced charge transport.
• This approach offers a pathway for developing more efficient next-generation solar cells.