Tandem Solar Cells from Solution-Processed CdTe and PbS Quantum Dots Using a ZnTe-ZnO Tunnel Junction

Crisp R, Pach GF, Kurley JM, France RM, Reese MO, Nanayakkara SU, Macleod BA, Talapin DV, Beard MC, Luther JM (2017)

Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article, Letter

Publication year: 2017

Journal

Nano Letters American Chemical Society

Publisher: AMER CHEMICAL SOC

Book Volume: 17

Pages Range: 1020-1027

Journal Issue: 2

DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.6b04423

Abstract

We developed a monolithic CdTe-PbS tandem solar cell architecture in which both the CdTe and PbS absorber layers are solution-processed from nanocrystal inks. Due to their tunable nature, PbS quantum dots (QDs), with a controllable band gap between 0.4 and similar to 1.6 eV, are a promising candidate for a bottom absorber layer in tandem photovoltaics. In the detailed balance limit, the ideal configuration of a CdTe (E-g = 1.5 eV)-PbS tandem structure assumes infinite thickness of the absorber layers and requires the PbS band gap to be 0.75 eV to theoretically achieve a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 45%. However, modeling shows that by allow-Rig the thickness of the CdTe layer to vary, a tandem with efficiency over 40% is achievable using bottom cell band gaps ranging from 0.68 and 1.16 eV. In a first step toward developing this technology, we explore CdTe-PbS tandem devices by developing a ZnTe-ZnO tunnel junction, which appropriately combines the two subcells in series. We examine the basic characteristics of the solar cells as a function of layer thickness and bottom-cell band gap and demonstrate open-circuit voltages in excess of 1.1 V with matched short circuit current density of 10 mA/cm(2) in prototype devices.

Authors with CRIS profile

Ryan Crisp Lehrstuhl für Chemistry of thin film materials

Involved external institutions

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) US United States (USA) (US) University of Chicago US United States (USA) (US)

How to cite

APA:

Crisp, R., Pach, G.F., Kurley, J.M., France, R.M., Reese, M.O., Nanayakkara, S.U.,... Luther, J.M. (2017). Tandem Solar Cells from Solution-Processed CdTe and PbS Quantum Dots Using a ZnTe-ZnO Tunnel Junction. Nano Letters, 17(2), 1020-1027. https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.6b04423

MLA:

Crisp, Ryan, et al. "Tandem Solar Cells from Solution-Processed CdTe and PbS Quantum Dots Using a ZnTe-ZnO Tunnel Junction." Nano Letters 17.2 (2017): 1020-1027.

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