Publication date: 1st July 2014
Great progress has been seen over the last years in the field of solution processed solar cells based on inorganic semiconductors. Recent efficiencies have reached 8.6 % in the area of quantum dots solar cells, or 17.9 % for solar cells based on perovskites [1]. However, the future expansion of these cells could be limited due to the presence of toxic elements, more specifically lead (Pb). Efforts are thus required in seeking for earth-abundant, and non-toxic materials [2] [3].
In this context we will present our work based on a new colloidal nanocrystalline material based on AgBiS2. Very few reports exist on the properties of this compound and its utilization in solar cells has yet to be reported [4] [5].
We have developed a synthesis to obtain this material in colloidal solution, which is stable for months. This material possesses a tuneable by size/stoichiometry band gap in the favourable region of 1.0-1.4 eV and very high absorption coefficient: 105–103 cm-1 from 900 nm to 400 nm. We have shown that by modifying the synthetic conditions we can tune the size and stoichiometry of the nanocrystals, whereas the effect of the ligand passivation schemes reflect upon the carrier concentration of solid state films as measured by UPS. The afore-mentioned parameters also have significant impact on solar cell device efficiencies that that are in excess of 2%.
References
[1] [Online]. Available: http://www.nrel.gov/ncpv/images/efficiency_chart.jpg. [Accessed 20 May 2014].
[2] C. Wadia, A. P. Alivisatos and D. M. Kammen, "Materials Availability Expands the Opportunity for Large-Scale Photovoltaics Deployment," Environ. Sci. Technol., vol. 43, p. 2072–2077, 2009.
[3] P. C. K. Vesborg and T. F. Jaramillo, "Addressing the terawatt challenge: scalability in the supply of chemical elements for renewable energy," RSC Adv., vol. 2, p. 7933–7947, 2012.
[4] B. Pejova, I. Grozdanov, D. Nesheva and A. Petrova, "Size-Dependent Properties of Sonochemically Synthesized Three-Dimensional Arrays of Close-Packed Semiconducting AgBiS2 Quantum Dots," Chem. Mater., vol. 20, p. 2551–2565, 2008.
[5] S. N. Guin and K. Biswas, "Cation Disorder and Bond Anharmonicity Optimize the Thermoelectric Properties in Kinetically Stabilized Rocksalt AgBiS2 Nanocrystals," Chem. Mater., vol. 25, p. 3225−3231, 2013.
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