Title
Lead sulfide colloidal quantum dot photovoltaic cell for energy harvesting from human body thermal radiation
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-15-2018
Abstract
In this paper, we present the development of a solution-processed photovoltaic structure designed to convert human body thermal radiation into electricity. An active layer composed of a layer of isopropylamine-capped lead sulfide (PbS) quantum dots (QDs) covered with a layer of lithium chloride (LiCl) on top is sandwiched between a substrate and an aluminum contact. Experimental measurements reveal that the device was sensitive to infrared radiation with energies lower than the optical bandgap energy of the incorporated nanocrystals (Eg = 1.26 eV), allowing one to harvest thermal radiation from a human body. We used a conceptually different approach to harvest this radiation by intentionally introducing mid-gap states to the lead sulfide quantum dots through passivation with isopropylamine and likely enabling a multi-step photon absorption mechanism.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Applied Energy
First Page
761
Last Page
768
Recommended Citation
Ghomian, T., Kizilkaya, O., & Choi, J. (2018). Lead sulfide colloidal quantum dot photovoltaic cell for energy harvesting from human body thermal radiation. Applied Energy, 230, 761-768. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.09.004