Lead sulfide colloidal quantum dot photovoltaic cell for energy harvesting from human body thermal radiation

Taher Ghomian, Orhan Kizilkaya and Jin-Woo Choi

Applied Energy, 2018, vol. 230, issue C, 768 pages

Abstract: In this paper, we present the development of a solution-processed photovoltaic structure designed to convert human body thermal radiation into electricity. An active layer composed of a layer of isopropylamine-capped lead sulfide (PbS) quantum dots (QDs) covered with a layer of lithium chloride (LiCl) on top is sandwiched between a substrate and an aluminum contact. Experimental measurements reveal that the device was sensitive to infrared radiation with energies lower than the optical bandgap energy of the incorporated nanocrystals (Eg = 1.26 eV), allowing one to harvest thermal radiation from a human body. We used a conceptually different approach to harvest this radiation by intentionally introducing mid-gap states to the lead sulfide quantum dots through passivation with isopropylamine and likely enabling a multi-step photon absorption mechanism.

Keywords: Photovoltaics; Thermal radiation; Energy harvesting; Quantum dots; Multi-step photon absorption (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.09.004

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