Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Chia-Hao Marcus Chuang

Moungi G Bawendi

Vladimir Bulovic

Jeffrey C Grossman

Mark W B Wilson

Patrick Richard Brown

Jose M Cordero

Gyuweon Hwang

Donghun Kim

The size-dependent band-gap tunability and solution processability of nanocrystals (NCs) make them attractive candidates for optoelectronic applications. One factor that presently limits the device performance of NC thin films is sub-bandgap states, also referred to as trap states. Trap states can be controlled by surface treatment of the nanocrystals.

Eliminating emissive sub-bandgap states in nanocrystals

A solar cell and method of making are disclosed. The solar cell includes an acceptor layer a donor layer treated with a first quantum dot (QD) ligand and a blocking layer treated with a second, different, QD ligand. The acceptor layer has an acceptor layer valence band and an acceptor layer conduction band. The donor layer has a donor layer valence band and a donor layer conduction band, the donor layer valence band is higher than the acceptor layer valence band, the donor layer conduction band is higher than the acceptor layer conduction band. The blocking layer least partially blocks electron flow in at least one direction, the blocking layer having a blocking layer valence band and a blocking layer conduction band, the blocking layer valence band is higher than the donor layer valence band, the blocking layer conduction band is higher than the donor layer conduction band.

Quantum dot solar cells with band alignment engineering

Growing community of inventors

Cambridge, MA, United States of America

Chia-Hao Marcus Chuang