Two strategies to enhance efficiency of PbS quantum dot solar cells: Removing surface organic ligands and configuring a bilayer heterojunction with a new conjugated polymer

- Two techniques for improved PbS quantum dot (QD) solar cells were examined.
- Plasma was applied to QD film for removing surface organic ligands.
- A low-bandgap polymer was then deposited on the QD film as a hole-transporting layer.
- The bilayer heterojunction device showed broad-range absorption and favorable charge transfer.
- The efficiency was increased from 0.7% to 1.76% by applying the two novel methods.