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Overcoming efficiency and cost barriers for large-area quantum dot photovoltaics through stable ink engineering

Author

Listed:
  • Guozheng Shi

    (Soochow University
    The University of Electro-Communications)

  • Xiaobo Ding

    (Soochow University)

  • Zeke Liu

    (Soochow University
    Soochow University)

  • Yang Liu

    (Soochow University)

  • Yifan Chen

    (Soochow University)

  • Cheng Liu

    (Soochow University)

  • Zitao Ni

    (Yunnan University)

  • Haibin Wang

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Katsuji Ito

    (Hitachi High-Tech Corporation)

  • Keisuke Igarashi

    (Hitachi High-Tech Corporation)

  • Kun Feng

    (Soochow University)

  • Kaicheng Zhang

    (Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg)

  • Larry Lüer

    (Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
    Helmholtz-Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy (HIERN))

  • Wei Chen

    (Shenzhen Technology University (SZTU)
    Chair for Functional Materials)

  • Xingyi Lyu

    (Northern Illinois University)

  • Bin Song

    (Soochow University)

  • Xiang Sun

    (Soochow University)

  • Lin Yuan

    (Soochow University)

  • Dong Liu

    (The University of Electro-Communications)

  • Yusheng Li

    (The University of Electro-Communications)

  • Kunyuan Lu

    (Soochow University)

  • Wei Deng

    (Soochow University)

  • Youyong Li

    (Soochow University)

  • Peter Müller-Buschbaum

    (Chair for Functional Materials)

  • Tao Li

    (Northern Illinois University
    Argonne National Laboratory)

  • Jun Zhong

    (Soochow University)

  • Satoshi Uchida

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Takaya Kubo

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Ning Li

    (Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
    Helmholtz-Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy (HIERN)
    South China University of Technology)

  • Joseph M. Luther

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

  • Hiroshi Segawa

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Qing Shen

    (The University of Electro-Communications)

  • Christoph J. Brabec

    (Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
    Helmholtz-Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy (HIERN))

  • Wanli Ma

    (Soochow University
    Soochow University)

Abstract

The bottom-up construction of electronics from colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) could innovate nanotechnology manufacturing through printing. However, the unstable and expensive semiconductive CQD inks make the scaling up of CQD electronics challenging. Here we develop a strategy for engineering the solution chemistry of lead sulfide (PbS) CQD inks prepared from a low-cost direct synthesis method. By creating an iodine-rich environment in weakly coordinating solvents, we convert the iodoplumbates into functional anions, which condense into a robust surface shell. The fully charged electrostatic surface layer prevents aggregation and epitaxial fusion of CQDs, yielding stable inks. By eliminating the fusion-induced inter-band states, we print a compact CQD film with uniformity in three dimensions, flattened energy landscape and improved carrier transport. We achieved a certified efficiency of 13.40% on 0.04 cm2 cells, with a 300-fold increase in active area, scaling up to a 12.60 cm2 module with a certified efficiency of 10%.

Suggested Citation

  • Guozheng Shi & Xiaobo Ding & Zeke Liu & Yang Liu & Yifan Chen & Cheng Liu & Zitao Ni & Haibin Wang & Katsuji Ito & Keisuke Igarashi & Kun Feng & Kaicheng Zhang & Larry Lüer & Wei Chen & Xingyi Lyu & B, 2025. "Overcoming efficiency and cost barriers for large-area quantum dot photovoltaics through stable ink engineering," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 10(5), pages 592-604, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:10:y:2025:i:5:d:10.1038_s41560-025-01746-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41560-025-01746-4
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