Development of photovoltaics using plasmonic compound nanoparticles with controlled dopant distribution

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K14703
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 36010:Inorganic compounds and inorganic materials chemistry-related
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Akiyoshi Kazutaka 名古屋大学, 工学研究科, 助教 (70865980)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 半導体量子ドット / 金属ナノ粒子 / 光圧 / 光トラッピング / プラズモン共鳴 / 薄層クロマトグラフィー / イオン液体 / 金属スパッタリング

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We synthesized plasmonic metal oxide nanoparticles that exhibit strong absorption in the near-infrared region by controlling the oxidation state using an ionic liquid/metal sputtering technique and heat treatment. We also found a liquid-phase synthesis method for low-toxic Bi-based semiconductor quantum dots and that the absorption wavelength can be controlled over a wide range of visible and near-infrared regions depending on the particle size and composition. We succeeded in developing near-infrared light-responsive photovoltaics by using their nanoparticles. Furthermore, we succeeded in developing a new analytical method called plasmonic thin-layer chromatography that selectively separates particles based on the optical properties of target substances by utilizing the difference in light pressure that increases depending on the intensity and wavelength of the irradiated light.

Free Research Field

光電気化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

作製したプラズモニック金属酸化物ナノ粒子および低毒性元素で構成されるBi系半導体量子ドットは太陽光中でエネルギー利用が難しかった近赤外域で光エネルギーを利用できることから、可視域で高い光エネルギー変換効率を示す材料と組み合わせることで、高効率な太陽電池への応用が期待できる。また、プラズモンTLC法では、従来のTLC法では不可能であった粒子の光学特性に応じた選択的分離を可能とするとともに、従来の光ピンセットのように高価で高出力なレーザー光(kW～MW/cm2)が必要なく、LED光などのより低い光強度(W/cm2)で物質を光捕捉できるため、簡便かつ汎用性が高く、市場価値が高い技術として期待される。