Quantum Dots

An innovative technology for highly

efficient solar cells
Seminar presented by
Amit Coudhary
Asst. Prof.
ECE Deptt.
AKGEC Ghaziabad

Contents

Introduction to Solar Cells

Basic problems with solar cells
Multi Layer Solar cell
Cost of solar power
Semiconductor Quantum Dots
Quantum Dots Solar cells
Synthesis of Cd-Se Quantum Dots
Other applications of Quantum Dots
Conclusion

Introduction to Solar Cells

A solar cell basically is a semiconductor PN junction diode.

Sun light Photons, which have energies comparable to band

gap of semiconductor are absorbed by valance band
electron and they produce e--h+ pair.

This leads to flow of current in external circuit

Basic problems with solar cells

Dominant solar cell technology use silicon. Band gap of Si is

1.1eV. If we see Solar Spectrum

Thus Solar to electrical energy conversion efficiency is about

30%

Multi Layer Solar cell

Three layer (InGaAs/ GaAs/ InGaP) solar cells, in which three

layer have three different Band gaps (1.89/1.42/0.94 eV),
can absorb photons from wider range of solar spectrum

Hence their efficiency is higher (48%) as compared to Si

solar cells

An infinite layer solar cell will has theoretically maximum

efficiency of 86%

Cost of solar power

Low efficiency of solar cells and their high cost

make per unit cost of solar power very high

Semiconductor Quantum Dots

Quantum Dots are semiconductor particles having

nanometer dimensions. A QD can have 100 to 100000
atoms

Solution of Schrodinger wave equation for QD suggest that

their Band Gap is inversely proportional to their diameter

Examples of QDs are Cd-Se, Zn-O, In-P etc

Quantum Dots Solar cells

Synthesis of Cd-Se Quantum Dots

CdO is added with oleic acid and Octadecene. Then this

mixture is heated up to 225o C.

Selenium solution is added to this solution. It produce seed

Cd-Se crystals which grows in size with time

Different samples are taken after each 3 minutes . Thus

each sample has Cd-Se QDs with different sizes

Other applications of Quantum Dots

Conclusion

By using QDs, efficiency of solar cells can be increased up

to 86% (Theoretically maximum efficiency)

This will reduce the per unit cost of solar power

Will also help to make our environment pollution less

Thank You