New quantum dot method can improve electrical conductivity of photo voltaic cells – Uplaza

A group led by Professor Jongmin Choi of the Division of Power Science and Engineering has developed a PbS quantum dot that may quickly improve {the electrical} conductivity of photo voltaic cells. The findings are printed within the journal Small.

The group recognized a way to boost electrical conductivity by way of the usage of “pulse-shaped” mild, which generates substantial vitality in a concentrated method at common intervals. This technique might exchange the warmth therapy course of, which requires a big period of time to realize the identical end result. This method is anticipated to facilitate the manufacturing and commercialization of PbS quantum dot photo voltaic cells sooner or later.

PbS quantum dots are nanoscale semiconductor supplies which might be being actively researched for the event of next-generation photo voltaic cells. They will soak up a variety of wavelengths of daylight, together with ultraviolet, seen mild, near-infrared, and shortwave infrared, and have low processing prices due to resolution processing and glorious photoelectric properties.

The fabrication of PbS quantum dot photo voltaic cells entails a number of course of steps. Till just lately, the warmth therapy course of was thought of an important step because it successfully coats a layer of quantum dots onto a substrate and heat-treats the fabric to additional enhance its electrical conductivity.

Nonetheless, when PbS quantum dots are uncovered to mild, warmth, and moisture, the formation of defects on their floor may be accelerated, resulting in cost recombination and deterioration of gadget efficiency. This phenomenon makes it difficult to commercialize these supplies.

To suppress the formation of defects on the floor of PbS quantum dots, a group led by Professor Choi proposed a warmth therapy involving the publicity of the dots to mild for a quick interval of some milliseconds. Standard strategies for heat-treating PbS quantum dot layers contain heating them for tens of minutes at excessive temperatures utilizing scorching plates, ovens, and so forth.

The analysis group’s proposed “pulse-type heat treatment technique” overcomes the shortcomings of the present technique through the use of robust mild to finish the warmth therapy course of in a couple of milliseconds. This ends in the suppression of floor defects and the extension of the touring lifetime of fees (electrons, holes) that generate electrical present. Moreover, it achieves excessive effectivity.

“Through this research, we were able to improve the efficiency of solar cells by developing a new heat treatment process that can overcome the limitations of the existing quantum dot heat treatment process,” mentioned Professor Choi of the Division of Power Science and Engineering at DGIST.

“Furthermore, the development of a quantum dot process with excellent ripple effect is expected to facilitate the widespread application of this technology to a range of optoelectronic devices in the future.”

This analysis was executed in collaboration with Professor Changyong Lim of the Division of Power Chemical Engineering on the Kyungpook Nationwide College and Professor Jongchul Lim of the Division of Power Engineering on the Chungnam Nationwide College.