Printed solar cells using nanocrystals

摘要

One of the most promising solar cell materials is based on copper, zinc, tin and sulfur in the chemical form Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS). This material possesses ideal solar cell characteristics, is non-toxic, and its elements are earth abundant. However, a major scientific question remains unanswered: how can CZTS be processed to deliver efficient soLar cells by low-cost and environmentally friendly methods? To address this issue, researchers from CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering, Melbourne, have developed CZTS-based soLar cells using nanocrystals as building blocks (van Embden J., Chesman A.S.R, Delia Gaspera E., Duffy N.W., Watkins S.E., Jasieniak 3.3. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 5237-40).