Development of Photovoltaic Devices Based on Near Infrared Quantum Dots and Conjugated Polymers

For decades, solution-processable, light absorbing semiconductor materials of quantum dots (QDs) and conjugated polymers have been extensively studied in third-generation photovoltaic (PV) devices, targeting both high efficiency and low cost, due to their various advantages. It is promising to fabricate PV devices by further combining near infrared (NIR) QDs and conjugated polymers, which can potentially merge the respective advantages of both polymers and inorganic nanomaterials in mechanical flexibility, specific weight, light absorption and photostability. In this review article, we first present the application of NIR QDs in organic solar cells built upon traditional polymers. Exciton dissociation and charge carrier transport are described, and strategies for improving the performance of these devices are analyzed. Then, the developments of NIR QDs-polymer hybrid solar cells based on recently developed low-bandgap polymers are summarized. Finally, future perspectives are discussed.