Colloidal silicon quantum dots and solar cells

Abstract

Colloidal silicon quantum dots (Si QDs) that are usually no more than 10 nm large crystalline Si nanoparticles dispersed in solvent have been attracting great attention largely due to their remarkable electronic and optical properties and flexible incorporation into device structures. In this work we begin with the introduction to the preparation of colloidal Si QDs. The electronic and optical properties of both undoped and doped Si QDs are then discussed. The use of colloidal Si QDs in Si-wafer-based solar cells and all kinds of hybrid solar cells is reviewed in detail. We briefly present the outlook of the development of colloidal Si QDs for solar cells in the end.