Solution-processed CdTe solar cells using CdTe nanocrystal (NC) ink may offer an economically viable route for large-scale manufacturing. Here we design a new CdCl3(-)-capped CdTe NC ink by taking advantage of novel surface chemistry. In this ink, CdCl3(-) ligands act as surface ligands, sintering promoters, and dopants. Our solution chemistry allows obtaining very thin continuous layers of high-quality CdTe which is challenging for traditional vapor transport methods. Using benign solvents, in air, and without additional CdCl2 treatment, we obtain a well-sintered CdTe absorber layer from the new ink and demonstrate thin-film solar cells with power conversion efficiency over 10%, a record efficiency for sub-400 nm thick CdTe absorber layer.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jacs.6b03240DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

solar cells
12
cdcl3--capped cdte
8
cdcl3- ligands
8
cdte absorber
8
absorber layer
8
cdte
7
solution-processed ultrathin
4
ultrathin solar
4
cells cdcl3--capped
4
cdte nanocrystals
4

Similar Publications

The art and science of translucent color organic solar cells.

Nat Commun

January 2025

Department of Physics, Research Centre of Excellence for Organic Electronics and Institute of Advanced Materials, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China.

The artistic and scientific perspectives of the translucent color organic solar cells (OSCs), made with the emerging narrowband nonfullerene acceptors are explored. The translucent color OSCs, comprising a Fabry-Pérot microcavity optical coupling layer, have a power conversion efficiency of >15% and a maximum transparency of >20% for the three primary colors. The performance-color relationship of the translucent color OSCs is analyzed using a combination of high-throughput optical computing and experimental optimization, allowing light with desired color to pass through, while absorbing enough light to generate electricity.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Tailoring pyridine bridged chalcogen-concave molecules for defects passivation enables efficient and stable perovskite solar cells.

Nat Commun

January 2025

National Key Laboratory of Electronic Films and Integrated Devices, School of Integrated Circuit Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, P. R. China.

Suppressing deep-level defects at the perovskite bulk and surface is indispensable for reducing the non-radiative recombination losses and improving efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this study, two Lewis bases based on chalcogen-thiophene (n-Bu4S) and selenophene (n-Bu4Se) having tetra-pyridine as bridge are developed to passivate defects in perovskite film. The uncoordinated Pb and iodine vacancy defects can interact with chalcogen-concave group and pyridine group through the formation of the Lewis acid-base adduct, particularly both the defects can be surrounded by concave molecules, resulting in effective suppression charge recombination.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study investigates the electronic properties and photovoltaic (PV) performance of newly designed bithiophene-based dyes, focusing on their light harvesting efficiency (LHE), open-circuit voltage (V), fill factor (FF), and short-circuit current density (J).These new dyes are designed with the help of machine learning (ML) to design best donor acceptor designs. For this, we collect 2567 differenr electron donor groups and calculated their bandgap with the help of Random Forest (RF) Regression method.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This research utilizes density functional theory to investigate the ground and excited-state properties of a new series of organic dyes with D-π-A configurations (D1-D6) for their potential application in dye-sensitized solar cells. The study focuses on modifying these dyes using various functional groups as π-bridges to optimize their electronic properties and improve their efficiency as sensitizers in DSSCs. The frontier molecular orbitals (HOMO and LUMO) were analysed to evaluate electron transfer properties.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Metal halide perovskites have shown exceptional potential in converting solar energy to electric power in photovoltaics, yet their application is hampered by limited operational stability. This stimulated the development of hybrid layered (two-dimensional, 2D) halide perovskites based on hydrophobic organic spacers, templating perovskite slabs, as a more stable alternative. However, conventional organic spacer cations are electronically insulating, resulting in charge confinement within the inorganic slabs, thus limiting their functionality.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!