Abstract
In this paper, to improve the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) based on CdS-sensitized TiO2 nanotube (TNT) electrodes, two methods are employed on the basis of our previous work. First, by replacing the traditional single-sided working electrodes, double-sided transparent TNT/ITO (DTTO) electrodes are prepared to increase the loading amount of quantum dots (QDs) on the working electrodes. Second, to increase the light absorption of the CdS-sensitized DTTO electrodes and improve the efficiency of charge separation in CdS-sensitized QDSSCs, copper indium disulfide (CuInS2) is selected to cosensitize the DTTO electrodes with CdS, which has a complementary property of light absorption with CdS. The PCEs of QDSSCs based on these prepared QD-sensitized DTTO electrodes are measured. Our experimental results show that compared to those based on the CdS/DTTO electrodes without CuInS2, the PCEs of the QDSSCs based on CdS/CuInS2-sensitized DTTO electrode are significantly improved, which is mainly attributed to the increased light absorption and reduced charge recombination. Under simulated one-sun illumination, the best PCE of 1.42% is achieved for the QDSSCs based on CdS(10)/CuInS2/DTTO electrode, which is much higher than that (0.56%) of the QDSSCs based on CdS(10)/DTTO electrode.
Highlights
Quantum dots-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) for converting solar energy directly to electricity have been attracting extensive interest for potential photovoltaic application [1–4]
Various types of quantum dots (QDs) with different optical absorption properties, such as CdS [5–7], CdTe [8–10], CdSe [4, 11–14], PbS [15, 16], PbSe [17], and CuInS2 [3, 18], have been synthesized to sensitize the TiO2 in order to extend the light absorption of the TiO2 into the visible region
Synthesis of CdS/double-sided transparent TiO2 nanotube (TNT)/ITO (DTTO) and CdS/CuInS2/DTTO Electrodes CdS and CuInS2 QDs were deposited on the TNTs by CBD method and SILAR progress, respectively, as described in our previous papers [18, 20]
Summary
Quantum dots-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) for converting solar energy directly to electricity have been attracting extensive interest for potential photovoltaic application [1–4]. In QDSSCs, the TiO2 is widely used as the working electrode due to its non toxicity, high stability, wide availability, and good electronic properties. Various types of quantum dots (QDs) with different optical absorption properties, such as CdS [5–7], CdTe [8–10], CdSe [4, 11–14], PbS [15, 16], PbSe [17], and CuInS2 [3, 18], have been synthesized to sensitize the TiO2 in order to extend the light absorption of the TiO2 into the visible region. To further increase the light absorption of QD-sensitized TiO2, increasing the loading amount of QDs through the improvement of the TiO2 photoelectrode structures is. It has found that the CuInS2 can reduce the charge recombination in CdS/CuInS2-sensitized TNTs/Ti electrode. Due to the opaque Ti substrate, only the QDs deposited on one side of the TNTs/Ti electrode can absorb the sunlight. The light-harvesting ability of the opaque TNTs/Ti photoelectrode should be weaker than that of the DTTO photoelectrode
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