A new passivation route leading to over 8% efficient PbSe quantum-dot solar cells via direct ion exchange with perovskite nanocrystals

Zhilong Zhang, Zihan Chen, Lin Yuan, Weijian Chen, Jianfeng Yang, Bo Wang, Xiaoming Wen, Jianbing Zhang, Long Hu*, John A. Stride, Gavin J. Conibeer, Robert J. Patterson, Shujuan Huang

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

66 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) are promising candidate materials for photovoltaics (PV) owing to the tunable bandgap and low-cost solution processability. Lead selenide (PbSe) QDs are particularly attractive to PV applications due to the efficient multiple-exciton generation and carrier transportation. However, surface defects arising from the oxidation of the PbSe QDs have been the major limitation for their development in PV. Here, a new passivation method for chlorinated PbSe QDs via ion exchange with cesium lead halide (Br, I) perovskite nanocrystals is reported. The surface chloride ions on the as-synthesized QDs can be partially exchanged with bromide or iodide ions from the perovskite nanocrystals, hence forming a hybrid halide passivation. Consistent with the improved photoluminescence quantum yield, the champion PV device fabricated with these PbSe QDs achieves a PCE of 8.2%, compared to 7.3% of that fabricated with the untreated QDs. This new method also leads to devices with excellent air-stability, retaining at least 93% of their initial PCEs after being stored in ambient conditions for 57 d. This is considered as the first reported PbSe QD solar cell with a PCE of over 8% to date.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1703214
Number of pages8
JournalAdvanced Materials
Volume29
Issue number41
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Nov 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • nanoparticles ion exchange
  • PbSe
  • perovskites
  • quantum dots
  • solar cells

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