US 6,878,871 B2 · Nanostructure and nanocomposite based compositions and photovoltaic devices

Abstract

Nanocomposite photovoltaic devices are provided that generally include semiconductor nanocrystals as at least a portion of a photoactive layer. Photovoltaic devices and other layered devices that comprise core-shell nanostructures and/or two populations of nanostructures, where the nanostructures are not necessarily part of a nanocomposite, are also features of the invention. Varied architectures for such devices are also provided including flexible and rigid architectures, planar and non-planar architectures and the like, as are systems incorporating such devices, and methods and systems for fabricating such devices. Compositions comprising two populations of nanostructures of different materials are also a feature of the invention.

Claims83

Dependent claims

A photovoltaic device, comprising:

a first electrode layer;
a second electrode layer;
and
a first photoactive layer disposed between the first and second electrode layers, wherein the photoactive layer is disposed in at least partial electrical contact with the first electrode along a first plane, and in at least partial electrical contact with the second electrode along a second plane, and wherein the photoactive layer comprises a first inorganic material and a second inorganic material different from the first inorganic material, which first and second inorganic materials exhibit a type II band offset energy profile, and wherein the photoactive layer comprises a first population of nanostructures comprising nanorods comprising the first inorganic material which are not grown from any layer in the photovoltaic device and a second population of nanostructures comprising the second inorganic material, and wherein some of the nanorods of the photoactive layer do not directly contact any other layer in the photovoltaic device.

1 more element

A photovoltaic device, comprising:

a first electrode layer;
a second electrode layer;
and,
a first photoactive layer disposed between the first and second electrode layers, wherein the photoactive layer is disposed in at least partial electrical contact with the first electrode along a first plane and in at least partial electrical contact with the second electrode along a second plane, wherein the photoactive layer comprises a first inorganic material and a second inorganic material different from the first inorganic material, which first and second inorganic materials exhibit a type II band offset energy profile, and wherein the photoactive layer comprises a first population of nanostructures, comprising nanotetrapods comprising the first inorganic material which are not grown from any layer in the photovoltaic device and a second population of nanostructures comprising the second inorganic material, and wherein some of the nanotetrapods of the photoactive layer do not directly contact any other layer in the photovoltaic device.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Nanostructure and nanocomposite based compositions and photovoltaic devices

Life of this patent

Nanostructure and nanocomposite based compositions and photovoltaic devices

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims83