A quantitative model for charge carrier transport, trapping and recombination in nanocrystal-based solar cells

Deniz Bozyigit, Weyde M. M. Lin, Nuri Yazdani, Olesya Yarema and Vanessa Wood ()
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Deniz Bozyigit: Laboratory for Nanoelectronics, ETH
Weyde M. M. Lin: Laboratory for Nanoelectronics, ETH
Nuri Yazdani: Laboratory for Nanoelectronics, ETH
Olesya Yarema: Laboratory for Nanoelectronics, ETH
Vanessa Wood: Laboratory for Nanoelectronics, ETH

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Improving devices incorporating solution-processed nanocrystal-based semiconductors requires a better understanding of charge transport in these complex, inorganic–organic materials. Here we perform a systematic study on PbS nanocrystal-based diodes using temperature-dependent current–voltage characterization and thermal admittance spectroscopy to develop a model for charge transport that is applicable to different nanocrystal-solids and device architectures. Our analysis confirms that charge transport occurs in states that derive from the quantum-confined electronic levels of the individual nanocrystals and is governed by diffusion-controlled trap-assisted recombination. The current is limited not by the Schottky effect, but by Fermi-level pinning because of trap states that is independent of the electrode–nanocrystal interface. Our model successfully explains the non-trivial trends in charge transport as a function of nanocrystal size and the origins of the trade-offs facing the optimization of nanocrystal-based solar cells. We use the insights from our charge transport model to formulate design guidelines for engineering higher-performance nanocrystal-based devices.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms7180

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