Multiple Exciton Generation in Colloidal Nanocrystals
In a conventional solar cell, the energy of an absorbed photon in excess of the band gap is rapidly lost as heat, and this is one of the main reasons that the theoretical efficiency is limited to ~33%. However, an alternative process, multiple exciton generation (MEG), can occur in colloidal quant...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2013-12-01
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| Series: | Nanomaterials |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/4/1/19 |
| _version_ | 1819075441516871680 |
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| author | Charles Smith David Binks |
| author_facet | Charles Smith David Binks |
| author_sort | Charles Smith |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In a conventional solar cell, the energy of an absorbed photon in excess of the band gap is rapidly lost as heat, and this is one of the main reasons that the theoretical efficiency is limited to ~33%. However, an alternative process, multiple exciton generation (MEG), can occur in colloidal quantum dots. Here, some or all of the excess energy is instead used to promote one or more additional electrons to the conduction band, potentially increasing the photocurrent of a solar cell and thereby its output efficiency. This review will describe the development of this field over the decade since the first experimental demonstration of multiple exciton generation, including the controversies over experimental artefacts, comparison with similar effects in bulk materials, and the underlying mechanisms. We will also describe the current state-of-the-art and outline promising directions for further development. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T18:25:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-90e0b02cae0b441f9ad7f8701fd0db69 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-4991 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T18:25:28Z |
| publishDate | 2013-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nanomaterials |
| spelling | doaj.art-90e0b02cae0b441f9ad7f8701fd0db692022-12-21T18:54:26ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912013-12-0141194510.3390/nano4010019nano4010019Multiple Exciton Generation in Colloidal NanocrystalsCharles Smith0David Binks1School of Physics and Astronomy and Photon Science Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UKSchool of Physics and Astronomy and Photon Science Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UKIn a conventional solar cell, the energy of an absorbed photon in excess of the band gap is rapidly lost as heat, and this is one of the main reasons that the theoretical efficiency is limited to ~33%. However, an alternative process, multiple exciton generation (MEG), can occur in colloidal quantum dots. Here, some or all of the excess energy is instead used to promote one or more additional electrons to the conduction band, potentially increasing the photocurrent of a solar cell and thereby its output efficiency. This review will describe the development of this field over the decade since the first experimental demonstration of multiple exciton generation, including the controversies over experimental artefacts, comparison with similar effects in bulk materials, and the underlying mechanisms. We will also describe the current state-of-the-art and outline promising directions for further development.http://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/4/1/19multiple exciton generationcarrier multiplicationnanocrystalsquantum dotsnanoparticlessolar cellsphotovoltaic |
| spellingShingle | Charles Smith David Binks Multiple Exciton Generation in Colloidal Nanocrystals Nanomaterials multiple exciton generation carrier multiplication nanocrystals quantum dots nanoparticles solar cells photovoltaic |
| title | Multiple Exciton Generation in Colloidal Nanocrystals |
| title_full | Multiple Exciton Generation in Colloidal Nanocrystals |
| title_fullStr | Multiple Exciton Generation in Colloidal Nanocrystals |
| title_full_unstemmed | Multiple Exciton Generation in Colloidal Nanocrystals |
| title_short | Multiple Exciton Generation in Colloidal Nanocrystals |
| title_sort | multiple exciton generation in colloidal nanocrystals |
| topic | multiple exciton generation carrier multiplication nanocrystals quantum dots nanoparticles solar cells photovoltaic |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/4/1/19 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT charlessmith multipleexcitongenerationincolloidalnanocrystals AT davidbinks multipleexcitongenerationincolloidalnanocrystals |