Abstract
In this study, graphene was used to enhance the photovoltaic performance of the CdS quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). The zinc aluminum mixed metal oxides (MMO) obtained from layered double hydroxide (LDH) precursor and the graphene/MMO hybrid materials were used as photoanode of the CdS QDSSCs, respectively. Raman spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed the existence of graphene in the photoanodes. The incorporated graphene influenced the specific areas and improved the light harvesting, thus increasing the photogenerated electrons. The addition of graphene improves the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the QDSSCs, and the highest PCE of the QDSSCs with graphene/Zn–Al MMO photoanode reached 0.18%. Electrochemical impedance measurements indicated that graphene helped to increase the electron transfer rate in the graphene/Zn–Al MMO photoanode and reduce the charge recombination rate. This work highlights that graphene can act as a fast pathway for photogenerated electrons.
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