Optimization of CdS/CdSe quantum dots solar cells based on electrochemically grown ZnO nanorods

Abstract

Good quality cadmium sulfide/cadmium selenide (CdS/CdSe)-based ZnO nanorods photoanodes were successfully prepared from ZnO nanorods electrochemically grown on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass substrates. The photoanodes worked as electrodes and zinc nitrate hexahydrate-based solution as electrolyte, followed by a CdS/CdSe sensitization by a SILAR method, for application in quantum dots sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). The performance of the QDSSC was optimized by control of the synthesis temperature of ZnO nanorods and the annealing process, the number of SILAR cycles, and the use of different counter electrodes (brass or copper thin film). The optimized QDSSC was prepared with ZnO nanorods grown at 90°C, annealed at 300°C, and cosensitized by CdS/CdSe with 16 and 8 SILAR cycles, respectively, and CuxS / brass as a counter electrode, exhibiting 10.10 mA . cm − 2 short-circuit current density (Jsc), 429-mV open circuit voltage (Voc), and 1.23% power conversion efficiency.