2009-10-22
Extracting Photogenerated Charges From Quantum-Confined Nanocrystals
In light of recent advances in synthesis, characterization, and the emerging understanding of their size-dependent properties, there are many exciting opportunities for semiconductor nanomaterials to contribute to the development of next-generation energy conversion technologies. Nanocrystals are particularly attractive material candidates for the efficient capture of solar emission in inexpensive, thin film photovoltaic devices due to their large absorption cross sections and size-tunable energy gaps. Despite the immense promise, the development of cost- and performance-competitive NC-based solar cells has, to date, fallen short of expectations. This gap is primarily due to the current lack of answers to the grand challenge of NC-based solar cells, namely: the efficient extraction of photogenerated charges from quantum confined NCs and transport to external electrodes. This talk will highlight some of our recent progress in addressing these challenges. Major themes of the talk will include our work on excitonic lead salt nanocrystal solar cells and the relationship between size-tuned energy levels and photovoltaic performance as well as processing/structure/property relationships of highly ordered nanocrystal superlattices.
For more information about Prof. Hanrath's research, visit the Hanrath Energy Laboratory webpage.