Silicon solar cell efficiency improvement employing the photoluminescent, downshifting effects of carbon quantum dots

J. E. Pelayo, A. Zazueta, R. Lopez-Delgado, E. Saucedo, R. Ruelas, A. Ayon

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

There is a generalized trend to demonstrate higher solar cell efficiency with more affordable devices to promote their widespread utilization. One of the options explored involves the utilization of photoluminescent, down-shifting quantum structures to enable the capture of high-energy photons that tend to interact with lattice phonons rather than generate electron-hole pairs. In order to address the aforementioned perceived need, we report the synthesis and characterization of Carbon quantum dots, as well as the observed improvement in the power conversion efficiency of the produced photovoltaic devices. The quantum dot characterization included crystal structure analysis and optical properties such as: photon absorption, photon excitation and photoluminescence. The synthesized carbon quantum dots of different sizes were dispersed in a polymeric layer of PMMA 100 nm thick and incorporated on functional and previously characterized solar cells, to quantify their influence in the electrical performance of the aforementioned photovoltaic devices. We discuss the synthesis approach employed as well as the measurements collected on the quantum dots themselves and the influence on the solar cells involved.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSymposium on Design, Test, Integration and Packaging of MEMS/MOEMS, DTIP 2016
EditorsYoshio Mita, Marta Rencz, Benoit Charlot, Peter Schneider, Niels Tas, Pascal Nouet, Francis Pressecq
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781509014576
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Jul 2016
Event18th Symposium on Design, Test, Integration and Packaging of MEMS/MOEMS, DTIP 2016 - Budapest, Hungary
Duration: 30 May 20162 Jun 2016

Publication series

NameSymposium on Design, Test, Integration and Packaging of MEMS/MOEMS, DTIP 2016

Conference

Conference18th Symposium on Design, Test, Integration and Packaging of MEMS/MOEMS, DTIP 2016
Country/TerritoryHungary
CityBudapest
Period30/05/162/06/16

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 IEEE.

Keywords

  • Photoluminescence
  • Photovoltaics
  • Quantum dots
  • Solar cells

Cite this