Exploration of Metal Chloride Uptake for Improved Performance Characteristics of PbSe Quantum Dot Solar Cells

We explored the uptake of metal chloride salts with +1 to +3 metals of Na(+), K(+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Sn(2+), Cu(2+), and In(3+) by PbSe QD solar cells. We also compared CdCl2 to Cd acetate and Cd nitrate treatments. PbSe QD solar cells fabricated with a CdCl2 treatment are stable for more than 270 days stored in air. We studied how temperature and immersion times affect optoelectronic properties and photovoltaic cell performance. Uptake of Cd(2+) and Zn(2+) increase open circuit voltage, whereas In(3+) and K(+) increase the photocurrent without influencing the spectral response or first exciton peak position. Using the most beneficial treatments we varied the bandgap of PbSe QD solar cells from 0.78 to 1.3 eV and find the improved VOC is more prevalent for lower bandgap QD solar cells.