CdS quantum dot-sensitized ZnO nanorod-based photoelectrochemical solar cells

Abstract

ZnO nanorods have been grown using ZnO seed layer onto ITO-coated glass substrates. CdS quantum dots have been deposited onto ZnO nanorods using simple precursors by chemical method and the assembly of CdS quantum dots with ZnO nanorod has been used as photo-electrode in quantum dot-sensitized solar cells. X-ray diffraction results show that ZnO seed layer, ZnO nanorods, and CdS quantum dot-sensitized ZnO nanorods exhibit hexagonal structure. The particle size of CdS nanoparticle is 5 nm. The surface morphology studied using scanning electron microscope shows that the top surface of the vertically aligned ZnO nanorods is fully covered by CdS quantum dots. The ZnO nanorods have diameter ranging from 100 to 200 nm. The absorption spectra reveal that the absorption edge of CdS quantum dot-sensitized ZnO nanorods shift toward longer wavelength side when compared to the absorption edge of ZnO. The efficiency of the fabricated CdS quantum dot-sensitized ZnO nanorod-based solar cell is 0.69% and is the best efficiency reported so far for this type of solar cells.