New quantum dot solar cells surpass the efficiency of traditional solar panels and change the market

Scientists set new solar cell efficiency record, promising more effective solar panels and a significant advancement for the solar energy sector.

Korean engineers achieved a significant milestone in the efficiency of quantum dot solar cells, a crucial step towards the commercialization of this next generation solar panel technology. Quantum dots, already used as pixels in modern screens due to their ability to convert energy into light with high efficiency, now show their revolutionary potential in solar power generation.

Point technology quantum achieves higher efficiency than common solar panels

It is worth mentioning that these quantum dots can also work in reverse, taking light and transforming it into energy, which has led to great interest in using them as solar panels. According to the teacher Sung-Yeon Jang, from the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, the technology that was developed achieved impressive efficiency of 18,1% in quantum dot solar cells.

The innovative approach for the solar energy sector consisted of the synthesis of perovskite quantum dots based on organic cations, ensuring exceptional stability while suppressing internal defects in the photoactive layer of solar cells, the prototypes maintained their efficiency even after long-term storage.

Sang-Hak Lee, responsible for innovation, highlighted that previous research into quantum dot solar panels predominantly used inorganic PQDs. Through this study, the potential in addressing the challenges linked to organic PQDs, which have proven difficult to use, was demonstrated.

It is important to highlight that PQD is the acronym in English for quantum dot. perovskite. Efficiency is achieved even less than half of the most advanced traditional semiconductor solar cells, however, the feat is being celebrated because it breaks a difficulty that had been holding back the development of this new technology and consequently, the advancement of the solar energy sector.

PQDs attract attention and can be used in solar panels

Quantum dots are semiconductor nanocrystals with typical dimensions ranging from a few to tens of nanometers, and their photoelectric properties vary according to their size.

Interest in them grew even more after, last year, the three scientists who discovered and developed these semiconductor nanoparticles received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

PQDs, in particular, have attracted a lot of attention due to their excellent photoelectric properties. Furthermore, its production process involves simple spraying or application in solvent, reducing the need for the growth process on substrates.

This simplified approach enables high-quality production, across multiple manufacturing environments, at a very low cost, reducing the prices of solar energy equipment. However, its practical use like solar cells depends on a technology that reduces the distance between quantum dots through an exchange ligand, a large molecule that attaches to the surface of quantum dots to interconnect them.

Team uses unique strategy to achieve greater efficiency in solar energy

Organic perovskite quantum dots are more problematic, showing defects in their crystals and surfaces during the replacement process. Inorganic perovskite quantum dot solar cells, meanwhile, are sitting at an efficiency close to 16%.

The team broke this barrier by employing an alkylammonium iodide-based exchange ligand strategy, effectively replacing the ligands with organic perovskite quantum dots, with optimal use of solar energy.

This advance makes it possible to create a photoactive layer of quantum dots for solar panels with high replacement efficiency and controlled defects.

Consequently, the efficiency of organic PQDs, previously limited to 13% using existing ligand replacement technology, was significantly improved to 18,1%. Furthermore, these solar cells demonstrate optimal stability, maintaining their performance even after long-term storage for more than two years.