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Zhang Z, Wang W, Rao H, Pan Z, Zhong X. Improving the efficiency of quantum dot-sensitized solar cells by increasing the QD loading amount. Chem Sci 2024; 15:5482-5495. [PMID: 38638208 PMCID: PMC11023064 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc06911g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
In quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs), optimized quantum dot (QD) loading mode and high QD loading amount are prerequisites for great device performance. Capping ligand-induced self-assembly (CLIS) mode represents the mainstream QD loading strategy in the fabrication of high-efficiency QDSCs. However, there remain limitations in CLIS that constrain further enhancement of QD loading levels. This review illustrates the development of various QD loading methods in QDSCs, with an emphasis on the outstanding merits and bottlenecks of CLIS. Subsequently, thermodynamic and kinetic factors dominating QD loading behaviors in CLIS are analyzed theoretically. Upon understanding driving forces, resistances, and energy effects in a QD assembly process, various novel strategies for improving the QD loading amount in CLIS are summarized, and the related functional mechanism is established. Finally, the article concludes and outlooks some remaining academic issues to be solved, so that higher QD loading amount and efficiencies of QDSCs can be anticipated in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyan Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University Guangzhou 510642 China
| | - Wenran Wang
- Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University Guangzhou 510642 China
| | - Huashang Rao
- Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University Guangzhou 510642 China
| | - Zhenxiao Pan
- Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University Guangzhou 510642 China
| | - Xinhua Zhong
- Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University Guangzhou 510642 China
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Song H, Lin Y, Zhang Z, Rao H, Wang W, Fang Y, Pan Z, Zhong X. Improving the Efficiency of Quantum Dot Sensitized Solar Cells beyond 15% via Secondary Deposition. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:4790-4800. [PMID: 33734670 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c01214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Low loading is one of the bottlenecks limiting the performance of quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSCs). Although previous QD secondary deposition relying on electrostatic interaction can improve QD loading, due to the introduction of new recombination centers, it is not capable of enhancing the photovoltage and fill factor. Herein, without the introduction of new recombination centers, a convenient QD secondary deposition approach is developed by creating new adsorption sites via the formation of a metal oxyhydroxide layer around QD presensitized photoanodes. MgCl2 solution treated Zn-Cu-In-S-Se (ZCISSe) QD sensitized TiO2 film electrodes have been chosen as a model device to investigate this secondary deposition approach. The experimental results demonstrate that additional 38% of the QDs are immobilized on the photoanode as a single layer. Due to the increased QD loading and concomitant enhanced light-harvesting capacity and reduced charge recombination, not only photocurrent but also photovoltage and fill factor have been remarkably enhanced. The average PCE of resulted ZCISSe QDSCs is boosted to 15.31% (Jsc = 26.52 mA cm-2, Voc = 0.802 V, FF = 0.720), from the original 13.54% (Jsc = 24.23 mA cm-2, Voc = 0.789 V, FF = 0.708). Furthermore, a new certified PCE record of 15.20% has been obtained for liquid-junction QDSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Song
- Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education, College of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Lin
- Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education, College of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengyan Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education, College of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Huashang Rao
- Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education, College of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenran Wang
- Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education, College of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Yueping Fang
- Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education, College of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenxiao Pan
- Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education, College of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinhua Zhong
- Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education, College of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, People's Republic of China
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Zhang H, Fang W, Wang W, Qian N, Ji X. Highly Efficient Zn-Cu-In-Se Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells through Surface Capping with Ascorbic Acid. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:6927-6936. [PMID: 30675780 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b18033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The balance between band structure, composition, and defect is essential for improving the optoelectronic properties of ternary and quaternary quantum dots and the corresponding photovoltaic performance. In this work, ascorbic acid (AA) as capping ligand is introduced into the reaction system to prepare green Zn-Cu-In-Se (ZCISe) quantum dots. Results show that the addition of AA can increase the Zn content while decrease the In content, resulting in enlarged band gap, high conduction band energy level, and suppressed charge recombination. When AA/Cu ratio is 1, the quantum dots possess the largest band gap of 1.49 eV and the assembled quantum dot-sensitized solar cells exhibit superior photovoltaic performance with ∼17% increment mainly contributed by the dramatically increased current density. The new record efficiencies of 10.44 and 13.85% are obtained from the ZCISe cells assembled with brass and titanium mesh-based counter electrodes, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering , East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237 , China
| | - Wenjuan Fang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering , East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237 , China
| | - Wenran Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering , East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237 , China
| | - Nisheng Qian
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering , East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237 , China
| | - Xiaohe Ji
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering , East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237 , China
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Wang W, Rao H, Fang W, Zhang H, Zhou M, Pan Z, Zhong X. Enhancing Loading Amount and Performance of Quantum-Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells Based on Direct Adsorption of Quantum Dots from Bicomponent Solvents. J Phys Chem Lett 2019; 10:229-237. [PMID: 30600681 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.8b03713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Intrinsically weak interaction between oil-soluble quantum dots (QDs) and TiO2 in a direct adsorption process limits QD loading and the performance of QD-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs). Herein, the underlying chemistry and mechanisms governing QD adsorption on TiO2 were studied to improve QD loading and cell performance. Experimental results indicate that solvent polarity plays the crucial role in determining QD loading. Compared with single-component solvents, substantially greater QD loading can be realized at the critical point (CP) of bicomponent solvents, where QDs become metastable and start to precipitate. Through this strategy, average efficiency of 12.24% was obtained for ZCISe QDSCs, which is comparable to those based on the capping ligand induced self-assembly route. This report demonstrates the great potential of bicomponent solvents at the CP for high QD loading and excellent cell performance and presents a platform for assembling functional composites with the use of different nanocrystals and substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenran Wang
- College of Materials and Energy , South China Agricultural University , 483 Wushan Road , Guangzhou 510642 , China
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering , East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237 , China
| | - Huashang Rao
- College of Materials and Energy , South China Agricultural University , 483 Wushan Road , Guangzhou 510642 , China
| | - Wenjuan Fang
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering , East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237 , China
| | - Hua Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering , East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237 , China
| | - Mengsi Zhou
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering , East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237 , China
| | - Zhenxiao Pan
- College of Materials and Energy , South China Agricultural University , 483 Wushan Road , Guangzhou 510642 , China
| | - Xinhua Zhong
- College of Materials and Energy , South China Agricultural University , 483 Wushan Road , Guangzhou 510642 , China
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering , East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237 , China
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Wu Q, Hou J, Zhao H, Liu Z, Yue X, Peng S, Cao H. Charge recombination control for high efficiency CdS/CdSe quantum dot co-sensitized solar cells with multi-ZnS layers. Dalton Trans 2018; 47:2214-2221. [DOI: 10.1039/c7dt04356b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
ZnS as an inorganic passivation agent has been proven to be effective in suppressing charge recombination and enhancing power conversion efficiency (PCE) in quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Wu
- College of Science/Key Laboratory of Ecophysics and Department of Physics
- Shihezi University
- Shihezi 832003
- P. R. China
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/Key Laboratory for Green Process of Chemical Engineering of Xinjiang Bingtuan
| | - Juan Hou
- College of Science/Key Laboratory of Ecophysics and Department of Physics
- Shihezi University
- Shihezi 832003
- P. R. China
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/Key Laboratory for Green Process of Chemical Engineering of Xinjiang Bingtuan
| | - Haifeng Zhao
- College of Science/Key Laboratory of Ecophysics and Department of Physics
- Shihezi University
- Shihezi 832003
- P. R. China
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/Key Laboratory for Green Process of Chemical Engineering of Xinjiang Bingtuan
| | - Zhiyong Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/Key Laboratory for Green Process of Chemical Engineering of Xinjiang Bingtuan
- Shihezi University
- Shihezi 832003
- P. R. China
| | - Xuanyu Yue
- College of Science/Key Laboratory of Ecophysics and Department of Physics
- Shihezi University
- Shihezi 832003
- P. R. China
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/Key Laboratory for Green Process of Chemical Engineering of Xinjiang Bingtuan
| | - Shanglong Peng
- School of Physical Science and Technology/ Key Laboratory for Magnetism and Magnetic Materials of the Ministry of Education
- Lanzhou University
- Lanzhou
- China
| | - Haibin Cao
- College of Science/Key Laboratory of Ecophysics and Department of Physics
- Shihezi University
- Shihezi 832003
- P. R. China
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