The Frontier of Solar Energy: Quantum Dots and Density Functional Theory Insights

Solar cells, a crucial renewable energy source in the fight against climate change, have gained prominence in the scientific community. Sunlight, an almost inexhaustible source of clean and renewable energy, positions solar cells as a fundamental alternative for future energy needs. However, improving their energy efficiency remains a major challenge. Quantum dots, nanocrystals with unique properties, have emerged as a promising solution due to their ability to harvest a wider range of light wavelengths. Despite challenges in producing these cells, computational simulation tools based on Density Functional Theory (DFT) offer a robust theoretical framework. These tools provide a low-cost way to elucidate the internal processes of energy conversion, thereby accelerating development. The existing literature on this topic is scarce and dispersed, underscoring the need for research to consolidate key contributions. This article employs scientometric techniques to identify seminal works and analyze the dynamics in the scientific production of quantum dot-based solar cells. The results reveal a surge in research activity, particularly in the last three years, highlighting the growing interest in this promising technology. Moreover, results show a 38.95% growth between 2012 and 2019, with an upward trend in scientific production. China and the United States of America lead academic production in this field. Three well-defined trends in the development of quantum dot-based solar cells are identified: Halide perovskites, dye-sensitized, and nanocrystals. These findings can assist researchers in gaining a better understanding of the current research landscape and trends in this field.