Heavy-Metal-Free Colloidal Quantum Dots: Progress and Opportunities in Solar Technologies.

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) hold great promise as building blocks in solar technologies owing to their remarkable photostability and adjustable properties through the rationale involving size, atomic composition of core and shell, shapes, and surface states. However, most high-performing QDs in solar conversion contain hazardous metal elements, including Cd and Pb, posing significant environmental risks. Here, we present a comprehensive review of heavy-metal-free colloidal QDs for solar technologies, including photovoltaic devices, solar-to-chemical fuel conversion, and luminescent solar concentrators. We analyze emerging synthetic strategies to optimize the optical properties by tuning the energy band structure and manipulating charge dynamics within the QDs and at the QDs/charge acceptors interfaces. We also provide a comparative analysis of different synthetic methods, discuss structure-property relationships in these materials, and correlate them with the performance of solar devices. We conclude with an outlook on challenges and opportunities for future work, including machine learning-based design, sustainable synthesis, and new surface/interface engineering. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.