High Efficiency Hybrid Solar Cells Using Nanocrystalline Si Quantum Dots and Si Nanowires

We report on an efficient hybrid Si nanocrystal quantum dot modified radial p–n junction thinner Si solar cell that utilizes the advantages of effective exciton collection by energy transfer from nanocrystal-Si (nc-Si) quantum dots to underlying radial p–n junction Si nanowire arrays with excellent carrier separation and propagation via the built-in electric fields of radial p–n junctions. Minimization of recombination, optical, and spectrum losses in this hybrid structure led to a high cell efficiency of 12.9%.