Berlin 2018 – scientific programme

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HL: Fachverband Halbleiterphysik

HL 13: Poster Session I

HL 13.36: Poster

Monday, March 12, 2018, 17:30–19:30, Poster B

The environmental stability of PbS quantum dot solar cells — •David Becker-Koch — Universität Heidelberg, Kirchhoff-Institut für Physik, Heidelberg

Colloidal inorganic nanocrystal quantum dots (QDs) are excellent solution-processed candidates for third-generation photovoltaics. Due to the quantum-confinement effect their absorption and emission spectra can be readily tuned over the entire visible-NIR spectrum by controlling their compositions and dimensions from synthesis. The state-of-the-art power conversion efficiency of single-junction solid-state QD solar cells reaches 11.6%, which together with their near-IR absorbing capabilities makes them of great interest for a myriad of applications. While the efficiencies are being improved constantly by intensive research, the Achilles heel of these devices seems to be their environmental instability. So far only limited research has been done to study the fundamental causes and mechanisms leading to the environmental instability in devices based on nanocrystal quantum dots.

We investigate the effects of oxygen, humidity, light and their combinations on the performance of high efficiency lead(II)-sulfide (PbS) solar cells. We find that while individual degradation factors cause device instabilities, the combination of exposure to oxygen, humidity and light may result in a recovery of the performance of the device after a short initial degradation phase.