Multiple-exciton generation in lead selenide nanorod solar cells with external quantum efficiencies exceeding 120%

Nathaniel J. L. K. Davis, Marcus L. Böhm, Maxim Tabachnyk, Florencia Wisnivesky-Rocca-Rivarola, Tom C. Jellicoe, Caterina Ducati, Bruno Ehrler and Neil C. Greenham ()
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Nathaniel J. L. K. Davis: Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge
Marcus L. Böhm: Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge
Maxim Tabachnyk: Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge
Florencia Wisnivesky-Rocca-Rivarola: University of Cambridge
Tom C. Jellicoe: Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge
Caterina Ducati: University of Cambridge
Bruno Ehrler: Center for Nanophotonics, FOM Institute AMOLF
Neil C. Greenham: Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract Multiple-exciton generation—a process in which multiple charge-carrier pairs are generated from a single optical excitation—is a promising way to improve the photocurrent in photovoltaic devices and offers the potential to break the Shockley–Queisser limit. One-dimensional nanostructures, for example nanorods, have been shown spectroscopically to display increased multiple exciton generation efficiencies compared with their zero-dimensional analogues. Here we present solar cells fabricated from PbSe nanorods of three different bandgaps. All three devices showed external quantum efficiencies exceeding 100% and we report a maximum external quantum efficiency of 122% for cells consisting of the smallest bandgap nanorods. We estimate internal quantum efficiencies to exceed 150% at relatively low energies compared with other multiple exciton generation systems, and this demonstrates the potential for substantial improvements in device performance due to multiple exciton generation.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9259

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