Nano-Structured Photovoltaic Solar Cell and Related Methods

Abstract

A solar cell includes a substrate having a horizontal surface, and an electrode layer on the substrate. The electrode has a plurality of vertical surfaces substantially perpendicular to the horizontal surface, and light-harvesting rods are coupled to the vertical surface of the electrode.

1 . A method of forming a solar cell, said method comprising:
 providing a substrate having a horizontal surface;   forming an electrode layer on said horizontal surface, said electrode having a plurality of a vertical surfaces substantially perpendicular to said horizontal surface; and   electrically coupling light-harvesting rods to said vertical surface of said electrode.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising forming said electrode layer using atomic layer metal deposition techniques. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of forming light-harvesting rods comprises:
 depositing a first porphyrinic molecule having a phosphonic acid group and a polymerizable handle in a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on said electrode;   contacting said electrode layer with a solution, said solution comprising a second porphyrinic molecule having at least two polymerizable groups, a ligand for a quantum dot, and a quantum dot;   polymerizing said first and said second porphyrinic molecule;   coupling said quantum dot and said second porphyrinic molecule with said ligand to form said light-harvesting rods.   
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of forming light-harvesting rods comprises:
 depositing a first porphyrinic molecule having a phosphonic acid group and a polymerizable handle in a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on said electrode;   exposing said electron transport layer to a vapor, said vapor comprising a second porphyrinic molecule having at least two polymerizable groups, a ligand for a quantum dot, and a quantum dot;   polymerizing said first and said second porphyrinic molecule;   coupling said quantum dot and said second porphyrinic molecule with said ligand to form said light-harvesting rods.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said light-harvesting rods each comprise a plurality of photon absorbing particles. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , comprising electrically connecting said plurality of photon absorbing particles at end portions thereof. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of photon absorbing particles comprise quantum dots. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of photon absorbing particles comprise porphyrin molecules. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising transporting energy from said light harvesting rods to said electrode without a separate diffusive charge carrier. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 forming said plurality of trenches to define opposing vertical surfaces, and   coupling said light-harvesting rods to each opposing vertical surface.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said electrode comprises a first electrode, said method further comprising forming a second electrode on said first electrode. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said substrate is transparent. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said substrate is flexible.