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General Information
Categories: advanced materials, energy, nanotechnology
BSA 09-15: Nanocrystals Link Inorganic Photovoltaic Efficiency with Low-Cost, Organic Processing
BNL Reference Number: BSA 09-15
Patent Status: Application Number 20100276731 was published on November 4, 2010
Summary
Schematic illustration of a nanocrystal bulk heterojunction solar cell with an active layer of randomly distributed n-type and p-type nanocrystals.
Inorganic photovoltaic cells, such as silicon, typically offer greater performance than organic alternatives, but at a much higher production cost. This new kind of inorganic nanocrystal construction, however, combines the high power conversion efficiency of inorganic solar cells with the inexpensive processing methods used for organics.
Description
These fully inorganic nanocrystal bulk heterojunction (NC BHJ) devices combine the power conversion of inorganic photovoltaic cells with inexpensive, scalable processing. Suspensions of p- and n-type nanocrystals in organic solvents are dip- or spin-coated onto substrates. If desired, the process can be repeated with suspensions of different compositions to form a graded layer BHJ. To avoid shorting, hole and/or electron-blocking layers may be deposited at the contacts. The resulting inorganic nanocrystal BHJ may be used as a photovoltaic device for solar cells and other photosensitive devices.
Benefits
The nanocrystal BHJ offers lower production costs than silicon while increasing robustness and tunability compared to organic photovoltaics, leading to higher efficiency and more cost-effective inorganic solar cells.
Applications and Industries
These BHJs are primarily applicable to high performance photovoltaic solar cells, but may be applied to virtually any photosensitive device.
Have Questions?
For more information about this technology, contact Kimberley Elcess, (631) 344-4151.
