Shaped nanocrystal particles and methods for making the same
View Patent ↗Shaped nanocrystal particles and methods for making shaped nanocrystal particles are disclosed. One embodiment includes a method for forming a branched, nanocrystal particle. It includes (a) forming a core having a first crystal structure in a solution, (b) forming a first arm extending from the core having a second crystal structure in the solution, and (c) forming a second arm extending from the core having the second crystal structure in the solution.
1. A method of forming a functional element of a photovoltaic device comprising:
forming a plurality of semiconductor-nanocrystals, wherein at least a portion of the semiconductor-nanocrystals have an aspect ratio greater than about 5; and
mixing the semiconductor-nanocrystals with a binder.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the binder comprises a polymer.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the polymer comprises double bonds.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the semiconductor-nanocrystals have an aspect ratio greater than about 10.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the semiconductor-nanocrystals have an aspect ratio of between about 5 and about 10.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the semiconductor-nanocrystals comprise tetrapods.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the semiconductor nanocrystals comprise CdSe or CdTe.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising disposing the nanocrystals and binder between a pair of opposed electrodes.