Ge – TiOGe – TiO2 2 Quantum Dots (QD) Nanocomposites Quantum Dots (QD) Nanocomposites

for Solar Cell Applicationsfor Solar Cell ApplicationsIsmat S. Shah, University of Delaware, DMR 0441619Ismat S. Shah, University of Delaware, DMR 0441619

• A new type of solar cell, called Gratzel A new type of solar cell, called Gratzel cell, involves oxide nanoparticles with cell, involves oxide nanoparticles with large band gaps.large band gaps.

• Since the bandgap is large, they can only Since the bandgap is large, they can only absorb the small high energy (UV) part of absorb the small high energy (UV) part of the solar spectrum.the solar spectrum.

• Gratzel cells use dyes that helps in Gratzel cells use dyes that helps in absorbing the visible part of the sun light.absorbing the visible part of the sun light.

• In our work germanium quantum dots are In our work germanium quantum dots are used. By changing the size of the used. By changing the size of the quantum dots, we can change the quantum dots, we can change the absorption characteristics and make it absorption characteristics and make it absorb all the way from low energy absorb all the way from low energy infrared to the high energy near-UV light. infrared to the high energy near-UV light.

• This will increase the absorption This will increase the absorption efficiency of the solar cells made from efficiency of the solar cells made from this material.this material.

Getting Involved: Undergraduate and High Getting Involved: Undergraduate and High

School Student ParticipationSchool Student Participation Ismat S. Shah, University of Delaware, DMR 0441619Ismat S. Shah, University of Delaware, DMR 0441619

• In addition to two In addition to two graduate students, one graduate students, one high school student, and high school student, and 3 undergraduate students 3 undergraduate students are participating in the are participating in the research associated with research associated with this project.this project. One One undergraduate and one undergraduate and one high school student are high school student are co-authors on one of the co-authors on one of the papers that describes the papers that describes the results of this research.results of this research.

1. Effect of Annealing Temperature on TiO2 Nanoparticle PhotoactivityS. Buzby, Hailey GuerrieroHailey Guerriero, Josh Josh Morris-Levenson,Morris-Levenson, Emre Yassitepe, S. Ismat ShahTo be submitted to JMR.

2. Ge doping of TiO2 NanoparticlesS. Buzby, Hailey Guerriero,Hailey Guerriero, Y. Miao, S. Ismat ShahUnder preparation.