Integration of CdTe–ZnO nanocomposite thin films into photovoltaic devices

Integration of CdTe–ZnO nanocomposite thin films into photovoltaic devices

Quantum-scale semiconductor nanoparticles offer unique, size-dependent optical and electronic properties of import to enhanced photovoltaic conversion efficiency. The present study addresses the integration of CdTe nanocrystal assemblies, used as spectral sensitizers, into thin film photovoltaic het...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Solar energy materials and solar cells Vol. 137; pp. 86 - 92
Main Authors: Huang, Wei-Jie, De Valle, Scott A., Kana Kana, Jean B., Simmons-Potter, K., Potter, B.G.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier B.V 01-06-2015
Subjects:
Cadmium tellurides
Carrier transport
Devices
Nanostructure
Photovoltaic cells
Quantum dots nanostructure
Semiconductors
Solar cells
Spectra
Spectral sensitizer
Thin film photovoltaics
Thin films
Quantum dots nanostructure
Thin film photovoltaics
Spectral sensitizer
Carrier transport
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Summary:Quantum-scale semiconductor nanoparticles offer unique, size-dependent optical and electronic properties of import to enhanced photovoltaic conversion efficiency. The present study addresses the integration of CdTe nanocrystal assemblies, used as spectral sensitizers, into thin film photovoltaic heterojunction devices. CdTe nanocrystals, embedded in an electrically active ZnO matrix, form a nanocomposite offering control of both spectral absorption and photocarrier transport behavior through the manipulation of nanophase assembly (ensemble effects). A sequential RF-magnetron sputter deposition technique affords the control of semiconductor nanophase spatial distribution relative to the heterojunction plane in a hybrid, ZnO–P3HT test structure. Energy conversion performance, (J–V and quantum efficiency (QE) response) was examined as a function of the location of the CdTe nanophase absorber region using both 1-D device modeling (SCAPS) and the experimental examination of analogous P3HT–ZnO based hybrid thin film devices. Enhancement in simulated QE over a spectral range consistent with the absorption region of the CdTe nanophase (i.e. 400–475nm) is confirmed in the experimentally determined external quantum efficiency (EQE). Moreover, a trend of decreasing efficiency in this spectral range with increasing separation between the CdTe nanophase region and the heterojunction plane is observed. The results are interpreted in terms of carrier scattering/recombination length mitigating the successful transport of photocarriers across the junction. •We introduce a CdTe nanophase absorber into a hybrid P3HT–ZnO heterojunction.•We compare the result both experiment and modeling.•The result show an enhancement in quantum efficiency associated with the absorber.•We prove the placement of CdTe has significant impact on quantum efficiency.
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ISSN:0927-0248
1879-3398
DOI:10.1016/j.solmat.2015.01.028