Synthesis and Characterization of a New Sensitizing Dye and Quantum Dots

Quantum dots have demonstrated their conduction and luminescent abilities in solar cells, light emitting diodes and in vivo imaging [1]. The most intriguing of these is their potential as light absorbers in solar cells. The goal of this research was to dope copper indium sulfide (CIS, formula: CuInS2) quantum dots with aluminum (Al) or cerium (Ce) to determine if these dopants were able to shift the peak absorbance wavelength into the 300--750 nm range of the AM1.5 Solar Radiation Spectrum. Changing the CIS absorbance wavelengths would allow the solar cells to effectively absorb light in the ultraviolet (UV), visible and infrared (IR) regions of the solar spectrum. The Al doped quantum dots shifted the CIS absorbance from 284 nm to 307 nm. Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) images of the Ce doped CIS quantum dots confirmed the crystallization and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX) confirmed the chemical composition. This research has shown a new way to create rare earth doped CIS quantum dots and their commercial applications are only beginning to be realized.