Enhanced performance of solar cells via anchoring CuGaS2 quantum dots

Abstract

Ternary I–III–VI quantum dots (QDs) of chalcopyrite semiconductors exhibit excellent optical properties in solar cells. In this study, ternary chalcopyrite CuGaS2 nanocrystals (2–5 nm) were one-pot anchored on TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2@CGS) without any long ligand. The solar cell with TiO2@CuGaS2/N719 has a power conversion efficiency of 7.4%, which is 23% higher than that of monosensitized dye solar cell. Anchoring CuGaS2 QDs on semiconductor nanoparticles to form QDs/dye co-sensitized solar cells is a promising and feasible approach to enhance light absorption, charge carrier generation as well as to facilitate electron injection comparing to conventional mono-dye sensitized solar cells.