dc.creator | Ng, Amy | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2020-08-23T16:19:15Z | |
dc.date.available | 2015-12-22 | |
dc.date.issued | 2014-12-22 | |
dc.identifier.uri | https://etd.library.vanderbilt.edu/etd-12112014-141358 | |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/1803/15256 | |
dc.description.abstract | The work presented here is the first of its kind where nanocrystal-based photovoltaics are characterized by directly imaging the electronic properties and correlating them to the structure of the sample. Through electron beam-induced current (EBIC), a finite beam of high energy electrons mimics photons to generate a photoresponse in the device, thus enabling the measurement of the current being generated in a precise region of the specimen. Two different nanocrystal-based architectures were studied in this manner: (1) a hybrid bulk heterojunction composed of CdSe nanorods dispersed in a conductive polymer matrix and (2) a PbS quantum dot depleted-heterojunction device. Both yielded significant results, such as high hole mobility in the case of (1), and changes in the EBIC signature as a result of defects in (2); the electronic shortcomings of the devices believed prior to this work were also confirmed. Another PbS quantum dot-based device was characterized using high resolution elemental mapping; this architecture comprised of titania nanotubes rather than nanoparticles as used in the photovoltaic described in (2). Preliminary work on CdTe thin film solar cells was also conducted as a test bed for higher resolution EBIC.
With EBIC, maps of nanocrystal-based, solid state photovoltaics were collected and analyzed to reveal important information regarding the electronic properties of the devices as well as areas of improvement. As a result of the latter, more efficient solar cell technology can be developed to help meet the energy demands of the global population. | |
dc.format.mimetype | application/pdf | |
dc.subject | nanocrystals | |
dc.subject | ebic | |
dc.subject | electron microscopy | |
dc.subject | photovoltaics | |
dc.title | Characterization of nanocrystal-based photovoltaics: electron microscopy & electron beam-induced current via scanning electron microscopy | |
dc.type | dissertation | |
dc.contributor.committeeMember | Stephen J. Pennycook | |
dc.contributor.committeeMember | David E. Cliffel | |
dc.contributor.committeeMember | Charles M. Lukehart | |
dc.type.material | text | |
thesis.degree.name | PHD | |
thesis.degree.level | dissertation | |
thesis.degree.discipline | Chemistry | |
thesis.degree.grantor | Vanderbilt University | |
local.embargo.terms | 2015-12-22 | |
local.embargo.lift | 2015-12-22 | |
dc.contributor.committeeChair | Sandra J. Rosenthal | |