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phys_org 00547.txt

#New class of nanoparticle brings cheaper lighter solar cells outdoors Think those flat glassy solar panels on your neighbour's roof are the pinnacle of solar technology? Think again. Researchers in the University of Toronto's Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer engineering have designed and tested a new class of solar-sensitive nanoparticle that outshines the current state of the art employing this new class of technology. This new form of solid stable light-sensitive nanoparticles called colloidal quantum dots could lead to cheaper and more flexible solar cells as well as better gas sensors infrared lasers infrared light emitting diodes and more. The work led by postdoctoral researcher Zhijun Ning and Professor Ted Sargent was published this week in Nature Materials. Collecting sunlight using these tiny colloidal quantum dots depends on two types of semiconductors: n-type which are rich in electrons; and p-type which are poor in electrons. The problem? When exposed to the air n-type materials bind to oxygen atoms give up their electrons and turn into p-type. Ning and colleagues modelled and demonstrated a new colloidal quantum dot n-type material that does not bind oxygen when exposed to air. Maintaining stable n -and p-type layers simultaneously not only boosts the efficiency of light absorption it opens up a world of new optoelectronic devices that capitalize on the best properties of both light and electricity. For the average person this means more sophisticated weather satellites remote controllers satellite communication or pollution detectors. This is a material innovation that's the first part and with this new material we can build new device structures said Ning. Iodide is almost a perfect ligand for these quantum solar cells with both high efficiency and air stabilityo one has shown that before. Ning's new hybrid n-and p-type material achieved solar power conversion efficiency up to eight per centmong the best results reported to date. But improved performance is just a start for this new quantum dot-based solar cell architecture. The powerful little dots could be mixed into inks and painted or printed onto thin flexible surfaces such as roofing shingles dramatically lowering the cost and accessibility of solar power for millions of people. The field of colloidal quantum dot photovoltaics requires continued improvement in absolute performance or power conversion efficiency said Sargent. The field has moved fast and keeps moving fast but we need to work toward bringing performance to commercially compelling levels. Explore further: New breed of solar cells: Quantum dot photovoltaics set new record for efficiency in such devices More information: Air-stable n-type colloidal quantum dot solids DOI: 10.1038/nmat400 a

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