Highly efficient CdS-quantum-dot-sensitized GaAs solar cells

doi:10.1364/OE.20.00A319

Highly efficient CdS-quantum-dot-sensitized GaAs solar cells

Chien-Chung Lin, Hsin-Chu Chen, Yu Lin Tsai, Hau-Vei Han, Huai-Shiang Shih, Yi-An Chang, Hao-Chung Kuo, and Peichen Yu »View Author Affiliations

Optics Express, Vol. 20, Issue S2, pp. A319-A326 (2012)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.20.00A319

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Abstract

We demonstrate a hybrid design of traditional GaAs-based solar cell combined with colloidal CdS quantum dots. With anti-reflective feature at long wavelength and down-conversion at UV regime, the CdS quantum dot effectively enhance the overall power conversion efficiency by as high as 18.9% compared to traditional GaAs-based device. A more detailed study showed an increase of surface photoconductivity due to UV presence, and the fill factor of the solar cell can be improved accordingly.

OCIS Codes
(040.5350) Detectors : Photovoltaic
(160.4236) Materials : Nanomaterials

ToC Category:
Photovoltaics

History
Original Manuscript: January 3, 2012
Revised Manuscript: February 8, 2012
Manuscript Accepted: February 29, 2012
Published: March 5, 2012

Citation
Chien-Chung Lin, Hsin-Chu Chen, Yu Lin Tsai, Hau-Vei Han, Huai-Shiang Shih, Yi-An Chang, Hao-Chung Kuo, and Peichen Yu, "Highly efficient CdS-quantum-dot-sensitized GaAs solar cells," Opt. Express 20, A319-A326 (2012)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/oe/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-20-S2-A319

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References

M. A. Green, “Thin-film solar cells: review of materials, technologies and commercial status,” J. Mater. Sci. Mater. Electron.18(S1), 15–19 (2007). [CrossRef]
S. Siebentritt, “Wide gap chalcopyrites: material properties and solar cells,” Thin Solid Films403-404, 1–8 (2002). [CrossRef]
R. Klenk, J. Klaer, R. Scheer, M. C. Lux-Steiner, I. Luck, N. Meyer, and U. Ruhle, “Solar cells based on CuInS2—an overview,” Thin Solid Films480-481, 509–514 (2005). [CrossRef]
A. Kongkanand, K. Tvrdy, K. Takechi, M. Kuno, and P. V. Kamat, “Quantum dot solar cells. Tuning photoresponse through size and shape control of CdSe-TiO2 architecture,” J. Am. Chem. Soc.130(12), 4007–4015 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
S. D. Standridge, G. C. Schatz, and J. T. Hupp, “Distance dependence of plasmon-enhanced photocurrent in dye-sensitized solar cells,” J. Am. Chem. Soc.131(24), 8407–8409 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Q. Zhang, T. P. Chou, B. Russo, S. A. Jenekhe, and G. Cao, “Polydisperse aggregates of ZnO nanocrystallites: a method for energy-conversion-efficiency enhancement in dye-sensitized solar cells,” Adv. Funct. Mater.18(11), 1654–1660 (2008). [CrossRef]
K. Tanabe, “A review of ultrahigh efficiency III-V semiconductor compound solar cells: multijunction tandem, lower dimensional, photonic up/down conversion and plasmonic nanometallic structures,” Energies2(3), 504–530 (2009). [CrossRef]
C. Baur, A. Bett, F. Dimroth, G. Siefer, M. Meusel, W. Bensch, W. Kostler, and G. Strobl, “Triple-junction III–V based concentrator solar cells: perspectives and challenges,” J. Sol. Energy Eng.129(3), 258–265 (2007). [CrossRef]
T. Takamoto, E. Ikeda, H. Kurita, and M. Ohmori, “Over 30% efficient InGaP/GaAs tandem solar cells, ˮ,” Appl. Phys. Lett.70(3), 381–383 (1997). [CrossRef]
W. Guter, J. Schone, S. P. Philipps, M. Steiner, G. Siefer, A. Wekkeli, E. Welser, E. Oliva, A. W. Bett, and F. Dimroth, “Current-matched triple-junction solar cell reaching 41.1% conversion efficiency under concentrated sunlight,” Appl. Phys. Lett.94(22), 223504 (2009). [CrossRef]
P. Yu, C. H. Chang, C. H. Chiu, C. S. Yang, J. C. Yu, H. C. Kuo, S. H. Hsu, and Y. C. Chang, “Efficiency enhancement of gaas photovoltaics employing antireflective indium tin oxide nanocolumns,” Adv. Mater. (Deerfield Beach Fla.)21(16), 1618–1621 (2009). [CrossRef]
W. Shockley and H. J. Queisser, “Detailed balance limit of efficiency of p-n junction solar cells,” J. Appl. Phys.32(3), 510–519 (1961). [CrossRef]
S. Geyer, V. J. Porter, J. E. Halpert, T. S. Mentzel, M. A. Kastner, and M. G. Bawendi, “Charge transport in mixed CdSe and CdTe colloidal nanocrystal films,” Phys. Rev. B82(15), 155201 (2010). [CrossRef]
X. Wang, G. I. Koleilat, J. Tang, H. Liu, I. J. Kramer, R. Debnath, L. Brzozowski, D. A. R. Barkhouse, L. Levina, S. Hoogland, and E. H. Sargent, “Tandem colloidal quantum dot solar cells employing a graded recombination layer,” Nat. Photonics5(8), 480–484 (2011). [CrossRef]
M. M. Caldwell, “Plant life and ultraviolet radiation: some perspective in the history of the earth's UV climate,” Bioscience29(9), 520–525 (1979). [CrossRef]
Q. Sun, Y. A. Wang, L. S. Li, D. Wang, T. Zhu, J. Xu, C. Yang, and Y. Li, “Bright, multicoloured light-emitting diodes based on quantum dots,” Nat. Photonics1(12), 717–722 (2007). [CrossRef]
T. Trupke, M. A. Green, and P. Würfel, “Improving solar cell efficiencies by down-conversion of high-energy photons,” J. Appl. Phys.92(3), 1668–1674 (2002). [CrossRef]
H.-C. Chen, C.-C. Lin, H.-W. Han, Y.-L. Tsai, C.-H. Chang, H.-W. Wang, M.-A. Tsai, H.-C. Kuo, and P. Yu, “Enhanced efficiency for c-Si solar cell with nanopillar array via quantum dots layers,” Opt. Express19(S5Suppl 5), A1141–A1147 (2011). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
E. Klampaftis, D. Ross, K. R. McIntosh, and B. S. Richards, “Enhancing the performance of solar cells via luminescent down-shifting of the incident spectrum: a review,” Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells93(8), 1182–1194 (2009). [CrossRef]
E. Klampaftis and B. S. Richards, “Improvement in multi-crystalline silicon solar cell efficiency via addition of luminescent material to EVA encapsulation layer,” Prog. Photovolt. Res. Appl.19(3), 345–351 (2011). [CrossRef]
C. Strümpel, M. McCann, G. Beaucarne, V. Arkhipov, A. Slaoui, V. C. Švrcek, C. del Cañizo, and I. Tobias, “Modifying the solar spectrum to enhance silicon solar cell efficiency—An overview of available materials,” Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells91(4), 238–249 (2007). [CrossRef]
X. Pi, Q. Li, D. Li, and D. Yang, “Spin-coating silicon-quantum-dot ink to improve solar cell efficiency,” Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells95(10), 2941–2945 (2011). [CrossRef]
E. Mutlugun, I. M. Soganci, and H. V. Demir, “Nanocrystal hybridized scintillators for enhanced detection and imaging on Si platforms in UV,” Opt. Express15(3), 1128–1134 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
S. M. Sze, Physics of Semiconductor Devices (Wiley, 2nd Edition, 1981), Chap. 14.
C. A. Leatherdale, C. R. Kagan, N. Y. Morgan, S. A. Empedocles, M. A. Kastner, and M. G. Bawendi, “Photoconductivity in CdSe quantum dot solids,” Phys. Rev. B62(4), 2669–2680 (2000). [CrossRef]

Arkhipov, V.
Barkhouse, D. A. R.
Baur, C.
Bawendi, M. G.
Beaucarne, G.
Bensch, W.
Bett, A.
Bett, A. W.
Brzozowski, L.
Caldwell, M. M.
Cao, G.
Chang, C. H.
Chang, C.-H.
Chang, Y. C.
Chen, H.-C.
Chiu, C. H.
Chou, T. P.
Debnath, R.
del Cañizo, C.
Demir, H. V.
Dimroth, F.
Empedocles, S. A.
Geyer, S.
Green, M. A.
Guter, W.
Halpert, J. E.
Han, H.-W.
Hoogland, S.
Hsu, S. H.
Hupp, J. T.
Ikeda, E.
Jenekhe, S. A.
Kagan, C. R.
Kamat, P. V.
Kastner, M. A.
Klaer, J.
Klampaftis, E.
Klenk, R.
Koleilat, G. I.
Kongkanand, A.
Kostler, W.
Kramer, I. J.
Kuno, M.
Kuo, H. C.
Kuo, H.-C.
Kurita, H.
Leatherdale, C. A.
Levina, L.
Li, D.
Li, L. S.
Li, Q.
Li, Y.
Lin, C.-C.
Liu, H.
Luck, I.
Lux-Steiner, M. C.
McCann, M.
McIntosh, K. R.
Mentzel, T. S.
Meusel, M.
Meyer, N.
Morgan, N. Y.
Mutlugun, E.
Ohmori, M.
Oliva, E.
Philipps, S. P.
Pi, X.
Porter, V. J.
Queisser, H. J.
Richards, B. S.
Ross, D.
Ruhle, U.
Russo, B.
Sargent, E. H.
Schatz, G. C.
Scheer, R.
Schone, J.
Shockley, W.
Siebentritt, S.
Siefer, G.
Slaoui, A.
Soganci, I. M.
Standridge, S. D.
Steiner, M.
Strobl, G.
Strümpel, C.
Sun, Q.
Švrcek, V. C.
Takamoto, T.
Takechi, K.
Tanabe, K.
Tang, J.
Tobias, I.
Trupke, T.
Tsai, M.-A.
Tsai, Y.-L.
Tvrdy, K.
Wang, D.
Wang, H.-W.
Wang, X.
Wang, Y. A.
Wekkeli, A.
Welser, E.
Würfel, P.
Xu, J.
Yang, C.
Yang, C. S.
Yang, D.
Yu, J. C.
Yu, P.
Zhang, Q.
Zhu, T.

Adv. Funct. Mater.

Q. Zhang, T. P. Chou, B. Russo, S. A. Jenekhe, and G. Cao, “Polydisperse aggregates of ZnO nanocrystallites: a method for energy-conversion-efficiency enhancement in dye-sensitized solar cells,” Adv. Funct. Mater.18(11), 1654–1660 (2008). [CrossRef]

Adv. Mater. (Deerfield Beach Fla.)

P. Yu, C. H. Chang, C. H. Chiu, C. S. Yang, J. C. Yu, H. C. Kuo, S. H. Hsu, and Y. C. Chang, “Efficiency enhancement of gaas photovoltaics employing antireflective indium tin oxide nanocolumns,” Adv. Mater. (Deerfield Beach Fla.)21(16), 1618–1621 (2009). [CrossRef]

Appl. Phys. Lett.

T. Takamoto, E. Ikeda, H. Kurita, and M. Ohmori, “Over 30% efficient InGaP/GaAs tandem solar cells, ˮ,” Appl. Phys. Lett.70(3), 381–383 (1997). [CrossRef]
W. Guter, J. Schone, S. P. Philipps, M. Steiner, G. Siefer, A. Wekkeli, E. Welser, E. Oliva, A. W. Bett, and F. Dimroth, “Current-matched triple-junction solar cell reaching 41.1% conversion efficiency under concentrated sunlight,” Appl. Phys. Lett.94(22), 223504 (2009). [CrossRef]

Bioscience

M. M. Caldwell, “Plant life and ultraviolet radiation: some perspective in the history of the earth's UV climate,” Bioscience29(9), 520–525 (1979). [CrossRef]

Energies

K. Tanabe, “A review of ultrahigh efficiency III-V semiconductor compound solar cells: multijunction tandem, lower dimensional, photonic up/down conversion and plasmonic nanometallic structures,” Energies2(3), 504–530 (2009). [CrossRef]

J. Am. Chem. Soc.

A. Kongkanand, K. Tvrdy, K. Takechi, M. Kuno, and P. V. Kamat, “Quantum dot solar cells. Tuning photoresponse through size and shape control of CdSe-TiO2 architecture,” J. Am. Chem. Soc.130(12), 4007–4015 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
S. D. Standridge, G. C. Schatz, and J. T. Hupp, “Distance dependence of plasmon-enhanced photocurrent in dye-sensitized solar cells,” J. Am. Chem. Soc.131(24), 8407–8409 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

J. Appl. Phys.

W. Shockley and H. J. Queisser, “Detailed balance limit of efficiency of p-n junction solar cells,” J. Appl. Phys.32(3), 510–519 (1961). [CrossRef]
T. Trupke, M. A. Green, and P. Würfel, “Improving solar cell efficiencies by down-conversion of high-energy photons,” J. Appl. Phys.92(3), 1668–1674 (2002). [CrossRef]

J. Mater. Sci. Mater. Electron.

M. A. Green, “Thin-film solar cells: review of materials, technologies and commercial status,” J. Mater. Sci. Mater. Electron.18(S1), 15–19 (2007). [CrossRef]

J. Sol. Energy Eng.

C. Baur, A. Bett, F. Dimroth, G. Siefer, M. Meusel, W. Bensch, W. Kostler, and G. Strobl, “Triple-junction III–V based concentrator solar cells: perspectives and challenges,” J. Sol. Energy Eng.129(3), 258–265 (2007). [CrossRef]

Nat. Photonics

Q. Sun, Y. A. Wang, L. S. Li, D. Wang, T. Zhu, J. Xu, C. Yang, and Y. Li, “Bright, multicoloured light-emitting diodes based on quantum dots,” Nat. Photonics1(12), 717–722 (2007). [CrossRef]
X. Wang, G. I. Koleilat, J. Tang, H. Liu, I. J. Kramer, R. Debnath, L. Brzozowski, D. A. R. Barkhouse, L. Levina, S. Hoogland, and E. H. Sargent, “Tandem colloidal quantum dot solar cells employing a graded recombination layer,” Nat. Photonics5(8), 480–484 (2011). [CrossRef]

Opt. Express

Phys. Rev. B

S. Geyer, V. J. Porter, J. E. Halpert, T. S. Mentzel, M. A. Kastner, and M. G. Bawendi, “Charge transport in mixed CdSe and CdTe colloidal nanocrystal films,” Phys. Rev. B82(15), 155201 (2010). [CrossRef]
C. A. Leatherdale, C. R. Kagan, N. Y. Morgan, S. A. Empedocles, M. A. Kastner, and M. G. Bawendi, “Photoconductivity in CdSe quantum dot solids,” Phys. Rev. B62(4), 2669–2680 (2000). [CrossRef]

Prog. Photovolt. Res. Appl.

E. Klampaftis and B. S. Richards, “Improvement in multi-crystalline silicon solar cell efficiency via addition of luminescent material to EVA encapsulation layer,” Prog. Photovolt. Res. Appl.19(3), 345–351 (2011). [CrossRef]

Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells

C. Strümpel, M. McCann, G. Beaucarne, V. Arkhipov, A. Slaoui, V. C. Švrcek, C. del Cañizo, and I. Tobias, “Modifying the solar spectrum to enhance silicon solar cell efficiency—An overview of available materials,” Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells91(4), 238–249 (2007). [CrossRef]
X. Pi, Q. Li, D. Li, and D. Yang, “Spin-coating silicon-quantum-dot ink to improve solar cell efficiency,” Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells95(10), 2941–2945 (2011). [CrossRef]
E. Klampaftis, D. Ross, K. R. McIntosh, and B. S. Richards, “Enhancing the performance of solar cells via luminescent down-shifting of the incident spectrum: a review,” Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells93(8), 1182–1194 (2009). [CrossRef]

Thin Solid Films

S. Siebentritt, “Wide gap chalcopyrites: material properties and solar cells,” Thin Solid Films403-404, 1–8 (2002). [CrossRef]
R. Klenk, J. Klaer, R. Scheer, M. C. Lux-Steiner, I. Luck, N. Meyer, and U. Ruhle, “Solar cells based on CuInS2—an overview,” Thin Solid Films480-481, 509–514 (2005). [CrossRef]

Other

S. M. Sze, Physics of Semiconductor Devices (Wiley, 2nd Edition, 1981), Chap. 14.

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[1] M. A. Green, “Thin-film solar cells: review of materials, technologies and commercial status,” J. Mater. Sci. Mater. Electron.18(S1), 15–19 (2007). [CrossRef]

[2] S. Siebentritt, “Wide gap chalcopyrites: material properties and solar cells,” Thin Solid Films403-404, 1–8 (2002). [CrossRef]

[3] R. Klenk, J. Klaer, R. Scheer, M. C. Lux-Steiner, I. Luck, N. Meyer, and U. Ruhle, “Solar cells based on CuInS2—an overview,” Thin Solid Films480-481, 509–514 (2005). [CrossRef]

[4] A. Kongkanand, K. Tvrdy, K. Takechi, M. Kuno, and P. V. Kamat, “Quantum dot solar cells. Tuning photoresponse through size and shape control of CdSe-TiO2 architecture,” J. Am. Chem. Soc.130(12), 4007–4015 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

[5] S. D. Standridge, G. C. Schatz, and J. T. Hupp, “Distance dependence of plasmon-enhanced photocurrent in dye-sensitized solar cells,” J. Am. Chem. Soc.131(24), 8407–8409 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

[6] Q. Zhang, T. P. Chou, B. Russo, S. A. Jenekhe, and G. Cao, “Polydisperse aggregates of ZnO nanocrystallites: a method for energy-conversion-efficiency enhancement in dye-sensitized solar cells,” Adv. Funct. Mater.18(11), 1654–1660 (2008). [CrossRef]

[7] K. Tanabe, “A review of ultrahigh efficiency III-V semiconductor compound solar cells: multijunction tandem, lower dimensional, photonic up/down conversion and plasmonic nanometallic structures,” Energies2(3), 504–530 (2009). [CrossRef]

[8] C. Baur, A. Bett, F. Dimroth, G. Siefer, M. Meusel, W. Bensch, W. Kostler, and G. Strobl, “Triple-junction III–V based concentrator solar cells: perspectives and challenges,” J. Sol. Energy Eng.129(3), 258–265 (2007). [CrossRef]

[9] T. Takamoto, E. Ikeda, H. Kurita, and M. Ohmori, “Over 30% efficient InGaP/GaAs tandem solar cells, ˮ,” Appl. Phys. Lett.70(3), 381–383 (1997). [CrossRef]

[10] W. Guter, J. Schone, S. P. Philipps, M. Steiner, G. Siefer, A. Wekkeli, E. Welser, E. Oliva, A. W. Bett, and F. Dimroth, “Current-matched triple-junction solar cell reaching 41.1% conversion efficiency under concentrated sunlight,” Appl. Phys. Lett.94(22), 223504 (2009). [CrossRef]

[11] P. Yu, C. H. Chang, C. H. Chiu, C. S. Yang, J. C. Yu, H. C. Kuo, S. H. Hsu, and Y. C. Chang, “Efficiency enhancement of gaas photovoltaics employing antireflective indium tin oxide nanocolumns,” Adv. Mater. (Deerfield Beach Fla.)21(16), 1618–1621 (2009). [CrossRef]

[12] W. Shockley and H. J. Queisser, “Detailed balance limit of efficiency of p-n junction solar cells,” J. Appl. Phys.32(3), 510–519 (1961). [CrossRef]

[13] S. Geyer, V. J. Porter, J. E. Halpert, T. S. Mentzel, M. A. Kastner, and M. G. Bawendi, “Charge transport in mixed CdSe and CdTe colloidal nanocrystal films,” Phys. Rev. B82(15), 155201 (2010). [CrossRef]

[14] X. Wang, G. I. Koleilat, J. Tang, H. Liu, I. J. Kramer, R. Debnath, L. Brzozowski, D. A. R. Barkhouse, L. Levina, S. Hoogland, and E. H. Sargent, “Tandem colloidal quantum dot solar cells employing a graded recombination layer,” Nat. Photonics5(8), 480–484 (2011). [CrossRef]

[15] M. M. Caldwell, “Plant life and ultraviolet radiation: some perspective in the history of the earth's UV climate,” Bioscience29(9), 520–525 (1979). [CrossRef]

[16] Q. Sun, Y. A. Wang, L. S. Li, D. Wang, T. Zhu, J. Xu, C. Yang, and Y. Li, “Bright, multicoloured light-emitting diodes based on quantum dots,” Nat. Photonics1(12), 717–722 (2007). [CrossRef]

[17] T. Trupke, M. A. Green, and P. Würfel, “Improving solar cell efficiencies by down-conversion of high-energy photons,” J. Appl. Phys.92(3), 1668–1674 (2002). [CrossRef]

[18] H.-C. Chen, C.-C. Lin, H.-W. Han, Y.-L. Tsai, C.-H. Chang, H.-W. Wang, M.-A. Tsai, H.-C. Kuo, and P. Yu, “Enhanced efficiency for c-Si solar cell with nanopillar array via quantum dots layers,” Opt. Express19(S5Suppl 5), A1141–A1147 (2011). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

[19] E. Klampaftis, D. Ross, K. R. McIntosh, and B. S. Richards, “Enhancing the performance of solar cells via luminescent down-shifting of the incident spectrum: a review,” Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells93(8), 1182–1194 (2009). [CrossRef]

[20] E. Klampaftis and B. S. Richards, “Improvement in multi-crystalline silicon solar cell efficiency via addition of luminescent material to EVA encapsulation layer,” Prog. Photovolt. Res. Appl.19(3), 345–351 (2011). [CrossRef]

[21] C. Strümpel, M. McCann, G. Beaucarne, V. Arkhipov, A. Slaoui, V. C. Švrcek, C. del Cañizo, and I. Tobias, “Modifying the solar spectrum to enhance silicon solar cell efficiency—An overview of available materials,” Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells91(4), 238–249 (2007). [CrossRef]

[22] X. Pi, Q. Li, D. Li, and D. Yang, “Spin-coating silicon-quantum-dot ink to improve solar cell efficiency,” Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells95(10), 2941–2945 (2011). [CrossRef]

[23] E. Mutlugun, I. M. Soganci, and H. V. Demir, “Nanocrystal hybridized scintillators for enhanced detection and imaging on Si platforms in UV,” Opt. Express15(3), 1128–1134 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

[24] S. M. Sze, Physics of Semiconductor Devices (Wiley, 2nd Edition, 1981), Chap. 14.

[25] C. A. Leatherdale, C. R. Kagan, N. Y. Morgan, S. A. Empedocles, M. A. Kastner, and M. G. Bawendi, “Photoconductivity in CdSe quantum dot solids,” Phys. Rev. B62(4), 2669–2680 (2000). [CrossRef]

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Highly efficient CdS-quantum-dot-sensitized GaAs solar cells