Efficiency enhancement of Si nanostructure hybrid solar cells by optimizing non-radiative energy transfer from Si quantum dots

Abstract Non-radiative energy transfer (NRET) from silicon quantum dots (SiQDs) terminated with ligands is an effective way to improve solar cell efficiency. The NRET effect can be enhanced by minimizing the distance between SiQDs and the solar cell surface. SiQDs were inserted between poly (3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):poly (styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and Si nanostructures of hybrid heterojunction solar cells. To clarify dependence on ligand length, three different ligands of different lengths were investigated. 1-octene, which has the shortest ligand length, showed the greatest enhancement of NRET, resulting in the highest solar cell efficiency.