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 thin film capable of use in a photovoltaic device, the thin film comprising:
a composite material including a plurality of semiconductor-nanocrystals embedded therein, wherein at least a portion of the semiconductor-nanocrystals have an aspect ratio greater than about 5, wherein the composite material comprises a polymer.
2. The thin film of claim 1 , wherein the polymer comprises double bonds.
3. The thin film of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the semiconductor-nanocrystals have an aspect ratio greater than about 10.
4. The thin film of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the semiconductor-nanocrystals have an aspect ratio of between about 5 and about 10.
5. The thin film of claim 1 , wherein the semiconductor-nanocrystals comprise tetrapods.
6. The thin film of claim 1 , wherein the semiconductor nanocrystals comprise CdSe or CdTe.
7. A photovoltaic device comprising:
a composite material including a plurality of semiconductor-nanocrystals embedded therein, wherein at least a portion of the semiconductor-nanocrystals have an aspect ratio greater than about 5, wherein the composite material comprises a polymer, and wherein the photovoltaic device comprises a solar cell.
8. The photovoltaic device of claim 7 , wherein the polymer comprises double bonds.
9. The photovoltaic device of claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the semiconductor-nanocrystals have an aspect ratio greater than about 10.
10. The photovoltaic device of claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the semiconductor-nanocrystals have an aspect ratio of between about 5 and about 10.
11. The photovoltaic device of claim 7 , wherein the semiconductor-nanocrystals comprise tetrapods.
12. The photovoltaic device of claim 7 , wherein the semiconductor nanocrystals comprise CdSe or CdTe.
13. The thin film of claim 1 , wherein the nanocrystals comprise branched nanocrystals, wherein at least a portion of the branched nanocrystals interlock.
14. The photovoltaic device of claim 7 , wherein the nanocrystals comprise branched nanocrystals, wherein at least a portion of the branched nanocrystals interlock.
15. The thin film of claim 1 , wherein the nanocrystals comprise branched nanocrystals, wherein at least a portion of the branched nanocrystals are oriented such that at least one arm is aligned perpendicular to the thin film plane.
16. The photovoltaic device of claim 7 , wherein the nanocrystals comprise branched nanocrystals, wherein at least a portion of the branched nanocrystals are aligned such that at least one arm points toward an electrode.
17. The thin film of claim 1 , wherein the nanocrystals comprise branched nanocrystals, wherein the branched nanocrystals comprise a core having a first crystal structure and at least one arm having a second crystal structure.
18. The photovoltaic device of claim 7 , wherein the nanocrystals comprise branched nanocrystals, wherein the branched nanocrystals comprise a core having a first crystal structure and at least one aim having a second crystal structure.