Photocurrent induced by nonradiative energy transfer from nanocrystal quantum dots to adjacent silicon nanowire conducting channels: toward a new solar cell paradigm.
We report the observation of photocurrent in silicon nanowires induced by nonradiative resonant energy transfer (NRET) from adjacent layers of lead sulfide nanocrystal quantum dots using time-resolved photocurrent measurements. This demonstration supports the feasibility of a new solar cell paradigm (Lu, S.; Madhukar, A. Nano Lett. 2007, 7, 3443-3451) that exploits NRET between efficient photon absorbers and adjacent nanowire/quantum well high-mobility charge transport channels and could offer a viable alternative to the limitations of carrier transport and collection faced by excitonic solar cells.
Lu
Siyuan
S
Department of Physics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA.
Lingley
Zachary
Z
Asano
Tetsuya
T
Harris
Daniel
D
Barwicz
Tymon
T
Guha
Supratik
S
Madhukar
Anupam
A
D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004735:Energy Transfer; D008027:Light; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D010316:Particle Size; D010777:Photochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D045663:Quantum Dots; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry*; D012993:Solar Energy; D013499:Surface Properties
D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D012825:Silicon