A composite material is described. The composite material comprises semiconductor nanocrystals, and organic molecules that passivate the surfaces of the semiconductor nanocrystals. One or more properties of the organic molecules facilitate the transfer of charge between the semiconductor nanocrystals. A semiconductor material is described that comprises p-type semiconductor material including semiconductor nanocrystals. At least one property of the semiconductor material results in a mobility of electrons in the semiconductor material being greater than or equal to a mobility of holes. A semiconductor material is described that comprises n-type semiconductor material including semiconductor nanocrystals. At least one property of the semiconductor material results in a mobility of holes in the semiconductor material being greater than or equal to a mobility of electrons.

A composite material is described. The composite material comprises semiconductor nanocrystals, and organic molecules that passivate the surfaces of the semiconductor nanocrystals. One or more properties of the organic molecules facilitate the transfer of charge between the semiconductor nanocrystals. A semiconductor material is described that comprises p-type semiconductor material including semiconductor nanocrystals. At least one property of the semiconductor material results in a mobility of electrons in the semiconductor material being greater than or equal to a mobility of holes. A semiconductor material is described that comprises n-type semiconductor material including semiconductor nanocrystals. At least one property of the semiconductor material results in a mobility of holes in the semiconductor material being greater than or equal to a mobility of electrons.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a composition comprising a polymer or sol-gel matrix and one or more nanocrystals. The composition is useful for making various products, including a luminescent solar concentrator. The nanocrystals are dispersed in the polymer or sol-gel matrix to reduce or substantially prevent nanocrystal-to-nanocrystal energy transfer and a subsequent reduction in the emission efficiency of the composition. The nanocrystals may comprise an antenna portion and an emitter portion, and in some embodiments the materials for the antenna and emitter portions are selected to produce a large Stokes shift between the absorption and emission wavelengths. In some embodiments, the polymer matrix comprises an acrylate polymer. Also disclosed herein is a method for making the composition, which may comprise a pre-polymerization step before the nanocrystals are introduced. Devices comprising the composition and a photovoltaic cell also are disclosed. In some examples, the device is a window.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a composition comprising a polymer or sol-gel matrix and one or more nanocrystals. The composition is useful for making various products, including a luminescent solar concentrator. The nanocrystals are dispersed in the polymer or sol-gel matrix to reduce or substantially prevent nanocrystal-to-nanocrystal energy transfer and a subsequent reduction in the emission efficiency of the composition. The nanocrystals may comprise an antenna portion and an emitter portion, and in some embodiments the materials for the antenna and emitter portions are selected to produce a large Stokes shift between the absorption and emission wavelengths. In some embodiments, the polymer matrix comprises an acrylate polymer. Also disclosed herein is a method for making the composition, which may comprise a pre-polymerization step before the nanocrystals are introduced. Devices comprising the composition and a photovoltaic cell also are disclosed. In some examples, the device is a window.

Nanocomposites in accordance with many embodiments of the invention can be capable of converting electromagnetic radiation to an electric signal, such as signals in the form of current or voltage. In some embodiments, metallic nanostructures are integrated with graphene material to form a metallo-graphene nanocomposite. Graphene is a material that has been explored for broadband and ultrafast photodetection applications because of its distinct optical and electronic characteristics. However, the low optical absorption and the short carrier lifetime of graphene can limit its use in many applications. Nanocomposites in accordance with various embodiments of the invention integrates metallic nanostructures, such as (but not limited to) plasmonic nanoantennas and metallic nanoparticles, with a graphene-based material to form metallo-graphene nanostructures that can offer high responsivity, ultrafast temporal responses, and broadband operation in a variety of optoelectronic applications.

Plasmonic substrates are provided which may be used in a variety of optoelectronic devices, e.g., biosensors and photodetectors. The plasmonic substrate may comprise a layer of graphene and a plurality of discrete, individual transition metal chalcogenide nanodomes distributed on a surface of the layer of graphene, each nanodome surrounded by bare graphene. Methods for making and using the plasmonic substrates are also provided.

Plasmonic substrates are provided which may be used in a variety of optoelectronic devices, e.g., biosensors and photodetectors. The plasmonic substrate may comprise a layer of graphene and a plurality of discrete, individual transition metal chalcogenide nanodomes distributed on a surface of the layer of graphene, each nanodome surrounded by bare graphene. Methods for making and using the plasmonic substrates are also provided.

An electronic device includes a semiconductor nanoparticle, and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor nanoparticle is additionally provided. The semiconductor nanoparticle includes: a core including a first element; and a shell covering at least a portion of a surface of the core and including a second element and a third element, wherein the first element, the second element, and the third element are different from each other, and the first element and the second element are chemically bonded to each other on the at least a portion of the surface of the core.

A method of producing photovoltaic cells with the μ-tandem architecture based on crystalline silicon substrates and quantum dots, ensuring both effective and stable operation of the entire tandem system as well as high absorption in the spectral range from UV to MIR and operation in scattered and incident light conditions at different angles, acting as an anti-reflective layer. A further purpose of the invention is to develop a new structure of a μ-tandem photovoltaic cell based on microcrystalline silicon (Si) layers and a layer of nanometric semiconductor structures with a core-shell architecture such that the resulting structures work as a tandem cell with the characteristics of micro-cells, connected together in its lower part.

A method of producing photovoltaic cells with the μ-tandem architecture based on crystalline silicon substrates and quantum dots, ensuring both effective and stable operation of the entire tandem system as well as high absorption in the spectral range from UV to MIR and operation in scattered and incident light conditions at different angles, acting as an anti-reflective layer. A further purpose of the invention is to develop a new structure of a μ-tandem photovoltaic cell based on microcrystalline silicon (Si) layers and a layer of nanometric semiconductor structures with a core-shell architecture such that the resulting structures work as a tandem cell with the characteristics of micro-cells, connected together in its lower part.