AP Seminar - Perovskite Quantum Dot Solar Cells: Achievements and Challenges

Semiconducting colloidal quantum dots (QDs) have garnered great attention for photovoltaics due to their unique properties, including decoupled crystallization from film deposition, size-tunable bandgap, multiple exciton generation, etc. Nanometer-sized colloidal metal halide perovskite QDs (PeQDs) have emerged and brought unique opportunities for photovoltaic application due to the high defect tolerance of perovskite and many features that emerge at the nanoscale. PeQDs, or more broadly, nanocrystals, show high photoluminescence quantum yields, spectrally tunable bandgap, flexible compositional control, and crystalline strain benefits. Metal halide PeQDs are readily synthesized with exceptional optoelectronic quality, opening a route for next-generation photovoltaics, as well as exploring metal halide perovskite physics at the nanoscale.
 
Since the first report in 2016, PeQDs have also become a point of interest in photovoltaic research. Currently, PeQDs hold the record efficiency for QD solar cells (over 19%), proving better than any previous QD material composition. This talk will highlight the importance of high-efficiency PeQD solar cells, from synthesis to device fabrication. We will discuss the current state of the art and lay out many open opportunities in PeQD solar cells to achieve 20%, as well as the design and synthesis of conductive PeQD ink toward high-efficiency and fast printable solar cells. Additionally, we discuss integrating artificial intelligence to facilitate the mass production of perovskite QDs for large-area, low-cost PV technology, which could help address significant energy challenges.