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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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2
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Shishodia S, Chouchene B, Gries T, Schneider R. Selected I-III-VI 2 Semiconductors: Synthesis, Properties and Applications in Photovoltaic Cells. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:2889. [PMID: 37947733 PMCID: PMC10648425 DOI: 10.3390/nano13212889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
I-III-VI2 group quantum dots (QDs) have attracted high attention in photoelectronic conversion applications, especially for QD-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). This group of QDs has become the mainstream light-harvesting material in QDSSCs due to the ability to tune their electronic properties through size, shape, and composition and the ability to assemble the nanocrystals on the surface of TiO2. Moreover, these nanocrystals can be produced relatively easily via cost-effective solution-based synthetic methods and are composed of low-toxicity elements, which favors their integration into the market. This review describes the methods developed to prepare I-III-VI2 QDs (AgInS2 and CuInS2 were excluded) and control their optoelectronic properties to favor their integration into QDSSCs. Strategies developed to broaden the optoelectronic response and decrease the surface-defect states of QDs in order to promote the fast electron injection from QDs into TiO2 and achieve highly efficient QDSSCs will be described. Results show that heterostructures obtained after the sensitization of TiO2 with I-III-VI2 QDs could outperform those of other QDSSCs. The highest power-conversion efficiency (15.2%) was obtained for quinary Cu-In-Zn-Se-S QDs, along with a short-circuit density (JSC) of 26.30 mA·cm-2, an open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 802 mV and a fill factor (FF) of 71%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubham Shishodia
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LRGP, F-54000 Nancy, France; (S.S.); (B.C.)
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, IJL, F-54000 Nancy, France;
| | - Bilel Chouchene
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LRGP, F-54000 Nancy, France; (S.S.); (B.C.)
| | - Thomas Gries
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, IJL, F-54000 Nancy, France;
| | - Raphaël Schneider
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LRGP, F-54000 Nancy, France; (S.S.); (B.C.)
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3
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Torimoto T, Kameyama T, Uematsu T, Kuwabata S. Controlling Optical Properties and Electronic Energy Structure of I-III-VI Semiconductor Quantum Dots for Improving Their Photofunctions. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY C: PHOTOCHEMISTRY REVIEWS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochemrev.2022.100569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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4
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Humayun M, Wang C, Luo W. Recent Progress in the Synthesis and Applications of Composite Photocatalysts: A Critical Review. SMALL METHODS 2022; 6:e2101395. [PMID: 35174987 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202101395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Photocatalysis is an advanced technique that transforms solar energy into sustainable fuels and oxidizes pollutants via the aid of semiconductor photocatalysts. The main scientific and technological challenges for effective photocatalysis are the stability, robustness, and efficiency of semiconductor photocatalysts. For practical applications, researchers are trying to develop highly efficient and stable photocatalysts. Since the literature is highly scattered, it is urgent to write a critical review that summarizes the state-of-the-art progress in the design of a variety of semiconductor composite photocatalysts for energy and environmental applications. Herein, a comprehensive review is presented that summarizes an overview, history, mechanism, advantages, and challenges of semiconductor photocatalysis. Further, the recent advancements in the design of heterostructure photocatalysts including alloy quantum dots based composites, carbon based composites including carbon nanotubes, carbon quantum dots, graphitic carbon nitride, and graphene, covalent-organic frameworks based composites, metal based composites including metal carbides, metal halide perovskites, metal nitrides, metal oxides, metal phosphides, and metal sulfides, metal-organic frameworks based composites, plasmonic materials based composites and single atom based composites for CO2 conversion, H2 evolution, and pollutants oxidation are discussed elaborately. Finally, perspectives for further improvement in the design of composite materials for efficient photocatalysis are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Humayun
- School of Optical and Electronic Information, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Engineering Research Center for Functional Ceramics of the Ministry of Education, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Chundong Wang
- School of Optical and Electronic Information, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Engineering Research Center for Functional Ceramics of the Ministry of Education, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Wei Luo
- School of Optical and Electronic Information, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Engineering Research Center for Functional Ceramics of the Ministry of Education, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
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5
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Emission tuning of highly efficient quaternary Ag-Cu-Ga-Se/ZnSe quantum dots for white light-emitting diodes. J Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 602:307-315. [PMID: 34130177 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.05.110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
With the blooming development of zero-dimensional nanomaterials, I-III-VI alloying quantum dots (QDs) with outstanding photoelectrical properties have emerged to attract much attention as promising environmentally-friendly substitutions for conventional binary Cd-based QDs. In this work, a facile one-pot method was introduced to synthesize unreported quaternary Ag-Cu-Ga-Se/ZnSe (ACGSe/ZnSe) QDs. A relatively high photoluminescence quantum yield (PL QY) of 71.9% and a tunable emission from 510 to 620 nm were successfully achieved. We explored the roles of alloying compositions in ACGSe/ZnSe QDs, inferring that increased Ag proportion would not only lower the Vdefect level which leads to the blue shift of emission, but also slow the ZnSe shelling process owing to the larger lattice distortion. At last, the white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) were fabricated with ACGSe/ZnSe QDs as the conversion layer, indicating that the as-prepared QDs are a promising candidate for further applications.
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6
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Song H, Lin Y, Zhou M, Rao H, Pan Z, Zhong X. Zn-Cu-In-S-Se Quinary "Green" Alloyed Quantum-Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells with a Certified Efficiency of 14.4 . Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:6137-6144. [PMID: 33258189 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202014723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The photoelectronic properties of quantum dots (QDs) have a critical impact on the performance of quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs). Currently, I-III-VI group QDs have become the mainstream light-harvesting materials in high-performance QDSCs. However, it is still a great challenge to achieve satisfactory efficiency for light-harvesting, charge extraction, and charge collection simultaneously in QDSCs. We design and prepare Zn0.4 Cu0.7 In1.0 Sx Se2-x (ZCISSe) quinary alloyed QDs by cation/anion co-alloying strategy. The critical photoelectronic properties of target QDs, including band gap, conduction band energy level, and density of defect trap states, can be conveniently tailored. Experimental results demonstrate that the ZCISSe quinary alloyed QDs can achieve an ideal balance among light-harvesting, photogenerated electron extraction, and charge-collection efficiencies in QDSCs compared to its single anion or cation quaternary alloyed QD counterparts. Consequently, the quinary alloyed QDs boost the certified efficiency of QDSCs to 14.4 %, which is a new efficiency record for liquid-junction QD solar cells.
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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, 483 Wushan Road, Guangzhou, 510642, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Yu Lin
- Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education, College of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, Guangzhou, 510642, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Mengsi Zhou
- Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education, College of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Huashang Rao
- Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education, College of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, Guangzhou, 510642, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Zhenxiao Pan
- Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education, College of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, Guangzhou, 510642, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Xinhua Zhong
- Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education, College of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, Guangzhou, 510642, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
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7
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Song H, Lin Y, Zhou M, Rao H, Pan Z, Zhong X. Zn‐Cu‐In‐S‐Se Quinary “Green” Alloyed Quantum‐Dot‐Sensitized Solar Cells with a Certified Efficiency of 14.4 %. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202014723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Han Song
- Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education College of Materials and Energy South China Agricultural University 483 Wushan Road Guangzhou 510642 China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture Guangzhou 510642 China
| | - Yu Lin
- Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education College of Materials and Energy South China Agricultural University 483 Wushan Road Guangzhou 510642 China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture Guangzhou 510642 China
| | - Mengsi Zhou
- Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education College of Materials and Energy South China Agricultural University 483 Wushan Road Guangzhou 510642 China
| | - Huashang Rao
- Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education College of Materials and Energy South China Agricultural University 483 Wushan Road Guangzhou 510642 China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture Guangzhou 510642 China
| | - Zhenxiao Pan
- Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education College of Materials and Energy South China Agricultural University 483 Wushan Road Guangzhou 510642 China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture Guangzhou 510642 China
| | - Xinhua Zhong
- Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education College of Materials and Energy South China Agricultural University 483 Wushan Road Guangzhou 510642 China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture Guangzhou 510642 China
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8
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Li GX, Li Q, Cheng R, Chen S. Synthesis of quantum dots based on microfluidic technology. Curr Opin Chem Eng 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coche.2020.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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9
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Givalou L, Tsichlis D, Zhang F, Karagianni CS, Terrones M, Kordatos K, Falaras P. Transition metal – Graphene oxide nanohybrid materials as counter electrodes for high efficiency quantum dot solar cells. Catal Today 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cattod.2019.03.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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10
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Wang J, Li S, Wang T, Guan F, Zhao L, Li L, Zhang J, Qiao G. Solution-Processed Sb 2Se 3 on TiO 2 Thin Films Toward Oxidation- and Moisture-Resistant, Self-Powered Photodetectors. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:38341-38349. [PMID: 32846480 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c09180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Semiconductor-sensitized TiO2 thin films with long-term air stability are attractive for optoelectronic devices and applications. Herein, we demonstrate the potential of the TiO2 thin film (∼800 nm in thickness) sensitized with a Sb2Se3 layer (∼350 nm) grown from solution spin coating and processed by annealing recrystallization at 300 °C for high-performance optical detection. The type-II band alignment, p-Sb2Se3/n-TiO2 heterojunction, and narrow band gap of Sb2Se3 (∼1.25 eV) endow the film photodetector with a large photocurrent, high switching stability and on/off ratio (>103), and fast response speeds (<20 ms) under the broadband visible-near-infrared irradiation in a zero-bias self-powered photovoltaic mode. In particular, the photodetector shows notable resistance to oxidation and moisture for long-term operation, which is linked to the modest surface oxidation (Sb-O) of Sb2Se3, as verified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The first-principles calculations show that a low and medium concentration of oxygen substitution for Se (OSe) and oxygen interstitial (Oi) with negative formation energies can lead to such a moderate surface oxidation but do not generate impurity states or just introduce a shallow-level acceptor state in the electronic structures of Sb2Se3 without degrading its optoelectronic performance. Our theoretical results offer a rational explanation for the air-stable and oxidation/moisture-resistant characteristics in moderately oxidized Sb2Se3 and may shed light on the surface oxidation-property relationship studies of other nonoxide semiconductor-sensitized devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junli Wang
- School of Materials Science & Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China
| | - Shaopeng Li
- School of Materials Science & Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China
| | - Tingting Wang
- School of Materials Science & Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China
| | - Fan Guan
- School of Materials Science & Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China
| | - Lijun Zhao
- School of Materials Science & Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China
| | - Longhua Li
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China
| | - Junhao Zhang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212003, PR China
| | - Guanjun Qiao
- School of Materials Science & Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China
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11
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Liu J, Chen K, Khan SA, Shabbir B, Zhang Y, Khan Q, Bao Q. Synthesis and optical applications of low dimensional metal-halide perovskites. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2020; 31:152002. [PMID: 31751979 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ab5a19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Metal halide perovskites have received substantial attention in research communities due to their outstanding efficiency achievements in the field of photovoltaics, optoelectronics and electronics, exhibiting extraordinary optical, electrical and mechanical properties. The exceptional structural tunability enables perovskite material to possess low-dimensional form at the atomic level and extends their applications into optoelectronic and photonic fields. This review discusses the recent progress of synthetic routes and fundamental optoelectronic properties of low-dimensional metal halide perovskites. In addition, the focus is to highlight the potential applications of perovskites in various devices including solar cells, light-emitting diodes, lasers, waveguides and memory devices. Finally, outlooks and the challenges that face the development of the perovskite materials in the near future are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingying Liu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, ARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies (FLEET), Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
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12
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Kottayi R, Panneerselvam P, Singh N, Murugadoss V, Sittaramane R, Angaiah S. Influence of a bifunctional linker on the loading of Cu 2AgInS 4 QDs onto porous TiO 2 NFs to use as an efficient photoanode to boost the photoconversion efficiency of QDSCs. NEW J CHEM 2020. [DOI: 10.1039/d0nj01699c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Quaternary Cu2AgInS4 quantum dots anchored more onto porous TiO2 NFs through a linker, 3-mercaptopropionic acid exhibits higher photoconversion efficiency of QDSC than that of the same anchored without a linker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roopakala Kottayi
- Electro-Materials Research Laboratory
- Center for Nanoscience and Technology
- Pondicherry University
- Puducherry-605014
- India
| | - Pratheep Panneerselvam
- Electro-Materials Research Laboratory
- Center for Nanoscience and Technology
- Pondicherry University
- Puducherry-605014
- India
| | - Nisha Singh
- Electro-Materials Research Laboratory
- Center for Nanoscience and Technology
- Pondicherry University
- Puducherry-605014
- India
| | - Vignesh Murugadoss
- Electro-Materials Research Laboratory
- Center for Nanoscience and Technology
- Pondicherry University
- Puducherry-605014
- India
| | - Ramdasse Sittaramane
- Department of Physics
- Kanchi Mamunivar Govt. Institute for PG Studies and Research
- Puducherry-605008
- India
| | - Subramania Angaiah
- Electro-Materials Research Laboratory
- Center for Nanoscience and Technology
- Pondicherry University
- Puducherry-605014
- India
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13
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He M, Kou D, Zhou W, Zhou Z, Meng Y, Wu S. Se-Assisted Performance Enhancement of Cu 2ZnSn(S,Se) 4 Quantum-Dot Sensitized Solar Cells via a Simple Yet Versatile Synthesis. Inorg Chem 2019; 58:13285-13292. [PMID: 31538482 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.9b02154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The earth-abundant Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) quantum dots (QDs) have emerged as one potential substitute to toxic cadmium or rare indium QDs, but their application in quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) is still limited by the improper particle size and the rigorous synthesis and ligand exchange conditions. Herein, we developed a one-pot hot injection method by using Tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) as the solvent and oleylamine as the capping agent to synthesize Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) QDs with adjustable size and narrow size distribution. The key feature of this approach is that we can take advantage of the high-temperature nucleation, low-temperature growth, and strong reducibility of NaHB4 to prepare small-sized CZTSSe QDs without using 1-dodecanethiol (DDT) and to extend the light harvesting range through Se incorporation. After Se incorporation, it turns out that the conduction band (CB) level of CZTSSe QDs decreases, implying that the injection driving force of the electron to the CB of TiO2 films becomes weaker and a larger recombination would be induced at the TiO2/QDs/electrolyte interface. Benefiting from the broadened optoelectronic response range, the induced higher Jsc (16.80 vs 14.13 mA/cm2) finally leads to the increase of the conversion efficiency of CZTSSe QDSSC from 3.17% to 3.54% without further modification. Despite the fact that the efficiency is still far behind those of literature reported values through use of other chalcogenide sensitizers, this DDT-free approach solves the main hindrance for the application of CZTSSe QDs in QDSSCs and holds a more convenient way for ligand exchange, light absorption improvement, and particle size control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengping He
- Key Lab for Special Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for High-Efficiency Display and Lighting Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Nano Functional Materials and Applications , Henan University , Kaifeng 475004 , China
| | - Dongxing Kou
- Key Lab for Special Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for High-Efficiency Display and Lighting Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Nano Functional Materials and Applications , Henan University , Kaifeng 475004 , China
| | - Wenhui Zhou
- Key Lab for Special Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for High-Efficiency Display and Lighting Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Nano Functional Materials and Applications , Henan University , Kaifeng 475004 , China
| | - Zhengji Zhou
- Key Lab for Special Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for High-Efficiency Display and Lighting Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Nano Functional Materials and Applications , Henan University , Kaifeng 475004 , China
| | - Yuena Meng
- Key Lab for Special Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for High-Efficiency Display and Lighting Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Nano Functional Materials and Applications , Henan University , Kaifeng 475004 , China
| | - Sixin Wu
- Key Lab for Special Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for High-Efficiency Display and Lighting Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Nano Functional Materials and Applications , Henan University , Kaifeng 475004 , China
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14
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Shrestha A, Batmunkh M, Tricoli A, Qiao SZ, Dai S. Nahinfrarotaktive Bleichalkogenid‐Quantenpunkte: Herstellung, postsynthetischer Ligandenaustausch und Anwendungen in Solarzellen. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201804053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aabhash Shrestha
- School of Chemical Engineering The University of Adelaide Adelaide SA 5005 Australien
- Nanotechnology Research Laboratory, Research School of Engineering The Australian National University Canberra ACT 2601 Australien
| | - Munkhbayar Batmunkh
- School of Chemical Engineering The University of Adelaide Adelaide SA 5005 Australien
- College of Science and Engineering Flinders University Bedford Park Adelaide SA 5042 Australien
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australien
| | - Antonio Tricoli
- Nanotechnology Research Laboratory, Research School of Engineering The Australian National University Canberra ACT 2601 Australien
| | - Shi Zhang Qiao
- School of Chemical Engineering The University of Adelaide Adelaide SA 5005 Australien
| | - Sheng Dai
- School of Chemical Engineering The University of Adelaide Adelaide SA 5005 Australien
- Department of Chemical Engineering Brunel University London Uxbridge UB8 3 Großbritannien
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15
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Xu Y, Liu J, Cui Y, Yin R, Wang X, Wu S, Yu X. Efficient polycrystalline silicon solar cells with double metal oxide layers. Dalton Trans 2019; 48:3687-3694. [PMID: 30801079 DOI: 10.1039/c8dt04233k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Crystalline silicon solar cells can achieve high power conversion efficiency and can be successfully commercialized; however, the exploration of optimization strategies is still necessary. Here, we demonstrated improved performance of a polycrystalline silicon solar cell by depositing Sb2Ox/CdO double layers onto a Si wafer via a low-cost route. The metal oxide layers, forming effective heterojunctions, suppressed carrier recombination and reduced surface reflection. Additionally, the heterojunctions of Sb2Ox/CdO/Si enhanced the transmission of electrons and holes and simultaneously, a wider response range in the solar spectrum was realized. The power conversion efficiency improved from 12.6 to 16.7% in a polycrystalline silicon solar cell, with relative increase of 33%. It is expected that the metal oxide-enhanced devices will have tremendous potential in commercial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichen Xu
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Shanghai Normal University, 100 Guilin Rd, Shanghai 200234, People's Republic of China.
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16
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Li W, Geng H, Yao L, Cao K, Sheng P, Cai Q. Photoelectrocatalytic Hydrogen Generation Enabled by CdS Passivated ZnCuInSe Quantum Dot-Sensitized TiO₂ Decorated with Ag Nanoparticles. NANOMATERIALS 2019; 9:nano9030393. [PMID: 30857151 PMCID: PMC6474140 DOI: 10.3390/nano9030393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Here we present the photoelectrocatalytic hydrogen generation properties of CdS passivated ZnCuInSe (ZCISe) quantum dots (QDs) supported by TiO₂ nanowires decorated with Ag nanoparticles. In this configuration, Ag nanoparticles were sandwiched between the photo-electrons collector (TiO₂) and photo-sensitizers (ZCISe), and acted as an electron relay speeding up the charge carrier transport. ZCISe and CdS enabled the optical absorption of the photoelectrode ranging from ultraviolet to near infrared region, which significantly enhanced the solar-to-chemical energy conversion efficiency. A photocurrent of 10.5 mA/cm² and a hydrogen production rate of about 52.9 μmol/h were achieved under simulated sunlight (1.5 AG).
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Affiliation(s)
- Weili Li
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Pingdingshan University, Pingdingshan 467000, China.
| | - Hongchao Geng
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Pingdingshan University, Pingdingshan 467000, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China.
| | - Lu Yao
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Pingdingshan University, Pingdingshan 467000, China.
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China.
| | - Kesheng Cao
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Pingdingshan University, Pingdingshan 467000, China.
| | - Pengtao Sheng
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Pingdingshan University, Pingdingshan 467000, China.
| | - Qingyun Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China.
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17
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Shrestha A, Batmunkh M, Tricoli A, Qiao SZ, Dai S. Near-Infrared Active Lead Chalcogenide Quantum Dots: Preparation, Post-Synthesis Ligand Exchange, and Applications in Solar Cells. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019; 58:5202-5224. [PMID: 29878530 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201804053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Quantum dots (QDs) of lead chalcogenides (e.g. PbS, PbSe, and PbTe) are attractive near-infrared (NIR) active materials that show great potential in a wide range of applications, such as, photovoltaics (PV), optoelectronics, sensors, and bio-electronics. The surface ligand plays an essential role in the production of QDs, post-synthesis modification, and their integration to practical applications. Therefore, it is critically important that the influence of surface ligands on the synthesis and properties of QDs is well understood for their applications in various devices. In this Review we elaborate the application of colloidal synthesis techniques for the preparation of lead chalcogenide based QDs. We specifically focus on the influence of surface ligands on the synthesis of QDs and their solution-phase ligand exchange. Given the importance of lead chalcogenide QDs as potential light harvesters, we also pay particular attention to the current progress of these QDs in photovoltaic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aabhash Shrestha
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia.,Nanotechnology Research Laboratory, Research School of Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Munkhbayar Batmunkh
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia.,College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Adelaide, SA, 5042, Australia.,Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Antonio Tricoli
- Nanotechnology Research Laboratory, Research School of Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Shi Zhang Qiao
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Sheng Dai
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia.,Department of Chemical Engineering, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, UK
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18
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Das A, Deepa M, Ghosal P. Dual function of molybdenum sulfide/C-cloth in enhancing the performance of fullerene nanosheets based solar cell and supercapacitor. RSC Adv 2018; 8:34984-34998. [PMID: 35547027 PMCID: PMC9087210 DOI: 10.1039/c8ra04956d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Quantum dot solar cells (QDSCs) with hexagonal fullerene nanosheets (C60-NS) embedded in a titanium oxide/cadmium sulfide (TiO2/CdS) photoanode coupled with a carbon-cloth (C-cloth) coated with molybdenum sulfide (MoS2) counter electrode (CE) are studied for the first time. C60-NS due to a favorable work function of 4.57 eV and a conductance of 1.44 μS, enable faster electron injection from the conduction band of cadmium sulfide to the current collector, in contrast to the bulk fullerene based TiO2/CdS solar cell. The champion cell with the TiO2/C60-NS/CdS photoanode and a MoS2/C-cloth CE exhibits a high power conversion efficiency of 5.6%, greater by ∼14% relative to its' analogue cell with bulk fullerene. A large area cell of 1 cm2 dimensions with TiO2/C60-NS/CdS gives a PCE of 2.9%. The effect of MoS2 in improving the efficiency of the cell with a TiO2/C60-NS/CdS photoanode is realized in terms of enhanced electrocatalytic activity for polysulfide reduction, and lower charge transfer resistance at the polysulfide/CE interface compared to a cell with the same photoanode but having pristine carbon-cloth as the CE. The ability of MoS2 for catalyzing the oxidized polysulfide species at the CE and C60-NS for improving the charge collection at the photoanode serve as indicators for their wider utilization in solar cells. It also serves as a good supercapacitor material. A MoS2/C-cloth based symmetric cell exhibits a specific capacitance of 645 F g-1 at 2 A g-1, which shows its' potential for energy storage as well. By integrating the QDSC and the supercapacitor, the resulting integrated device acquires a photovoltage of 0.7 V, under 1 sun illumination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparajita Das
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad Kandi-502285 Sangareddy Telangana India
| | - Melepurath Deepa
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad Kandi-502285 Sangareddy Telangana India
| | - Partha Ghosal
- Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory DRDO Hyderabad 500058 Telangana India
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19
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Halder G, Ghosh D, Ali MY, Sahasrabudhe A, Bhattacharyya S. Interface Engineering in Quantum-Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2018; 34:10197-10216. [PMID: 29584956 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b00293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The unique properties of II-VI semiconductor nanocrystals such as superior light absorption, size-dependent optoelectronic properties, solution processability, and interesting photophysics prompted quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) as promising candidates for next-generation photovoltaic (PV) technology. QDSSCs have advantages such as low-cost device fabrication, multiple exciton generation, and the possibility to push over the theoretical power conversion efficiency (PCE) limit of 32%. In spite of dedicated research efforts to enhance the PCE, optimize individual solar cell components, and better understand the underlying science, QDSSCs have unfortunately not lived up to their potential due to shortcomings in the fabrication process and with the QDs themselves. In this feature article, we briefly discuss the QDSSC concepts and mechanisms of the charge carrier recombination pathways that occur at multiple interfaces, viz., (i) metal oxide (MO)/QDs, (ii) MO/QDs/electrolyte, and (iii) counter electrode (CE)/electrolyte. The rational strategies that have been developed to minimize/block these charge recombination pathways are elaborated. The article concludes with a discussion of the present challenges in fabricating efficient devices and future prospects for QDSSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganga Halder
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Centre for Advanced Functional Materials , Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata , Mohanpur 741246 , India
| | - Dibyendu Ghosh
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Centre for Advanced Functional Materials , Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata , Mohanpur 741246 , India
| | - Md Yusuf Ali
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Centre for Advanced Functional Materials , Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata , Mohanpur 741246 , India
| | - Atharva Sahasrabudhe
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Centre for Advanced Functional Materials , Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata , Mohanpur 741246 , India
| | - Sayan Bhattacharyya
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Centre for Advanced Functional Materials , Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata , Mohanpur 741246 , India
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20
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Song X, Ma Z, Deng J, Li X, Wang L, Yan Y, Dong X, Wang Y, Xia C. Fabrication of three-dimensionally ordered macroporous TiO 2 film and its application in quantum dots-sensitized solar cells. OPTICS EXPRESS 2018; 26:A855-A864. [PMID: 30184938 DOI: 10.1364/oe.26.00a855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Engineering of TiO2 photoanode is an important strategy for increasing the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of quantum dots-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). In this work, three-dimensional ordered macroporous (3DOM) TiO2 films are fabricated by the controlled infiltrating-calcination method using the close-packed polystyrene spheres colloidal crystals as templates. The as-prepared macroporous TiO2 films are then applied as the photoanode in colloidal CdSe QDSSCs. This structure not only facilitates the penetration of thioglycolic acid capped CdSe QDs, and thus achieving a high coverage of the internal surface with QDs sensitizer, but also exhibits a photonic band gap with tunable positions, which could enhance the light absorption. As a result, the liquid-junction QDSSCs assembled with the CdSe sensitized 3DOM TiO2 yields a power conversion efficiency of 3.60% under solar illumination of 100 mW cm-2, and this value is much higher than that of the device using nanoporous TiO2 photoanode (1.82%). Our results indicate that the 3DOM TiO2 is a promising candidate for the construction of high-efficiency QDSSCs.
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21
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Stroyuk O, Raevskaya A, Gaponik N. Solar light harvesting with multinary metal chalcogenide nanocrystals. Chem Soc Rev 2018; 47:5354-5422. [PMID: 29799031 DOI: 10.1039/c8cs00029h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The paper reviews the state of the art in the synthesis of multinary (ternary, quaternary and more complex) metal chalcogenide nanocrystals (NCs) and their applications as a light absorbing or an auxiliary component of light-harvesting systems. This includes solid-state and liquid-junction solar cells and photocatalytic/photoelectrochemical systems designed for the conversion of solar light into the electric current or the accumulation of solar energy in the form of products of various chemical reactions. The review discusses general aspects of the light absorption and photophysical properties of multinary metal chalcogenide NCs, the modern state of the synthetic strategies applied to produce the multinary metal chalcogenide NCs and related nanoheterostructures, and recent achievements in the metal chalcogenide NC-based solar cells and the photocatalytic/photoelectrochemical systems. The review is concluded by an outlook with a critical discussion of the most promising ways and challenging aspects of further progress in the metal chalcogenide NC-based solar photovoltaics and photochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleksandr Stroyuk
- L.V. Pysarzhevsky Institute of Physical Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 03028 Kyiv, Ukraine.
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22
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Cuprous Sulfide@Carbon nanostructures based counter electrodes with cadmium sulfide/titania photoanode for liquid junction solar cells. Electrochim Acta 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2018.05.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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23
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Pan Z, Rao H, Mora-Seró I, Bisquert J, Zhong X. Quantum dot-sensitized solar cells. Chem Soc Rev 2018; 47:7659-7702. [DOI: 10.1039/c8cs00431e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 259] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A comprehensive overview of the development of quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs) is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenxiao Pan
- College of Materials and Energy
- South China Agricultural University
- Guangzhou 510642
- China
| | - Huashang Rao
- College of Materials and Energy
- South China Agricultural University
- Guangzhou 510642
- China
| | - Iván Mora-Seró
- Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM)
- Universitat Jaume I
- 12006 Castelló
- Spain
| | - Juan Bisquert
- Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM)
- Universitat Jaume I
- 12006 Castelló
- Spain
| | - Xinhua Zhong
- College of Materials and Energy
- South China Agricultural University
- Guangzhou 510642
- China
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24
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Yue L, Rao H, Du J, Pan Z, Yu J, Zhong X. Comparative advantages of Zn–Cu–In–S alloy QDs in the construction of quantum dot-sensitized solar cells. RSC Adv 2018; 8:3637-3645. [PMID: 35542942 PMCID: PMC9077672 DOI: 10.1039/c7ra12321c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Alloyed structures of quantum dot light-harvesting materials favor the suppression of unwanted charge recombination as well as acceleration of the charge extraction and therefore the improvement of photovoltaic performance of the resulting solar cell devices. Herein, the advantages of Zn–Cu–In–S (ZCIS) alloy QD serving as light-harvesting sensitizer materials in the construction of quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs) were compared with core/shell structured CIS/ZnS, as well as pristine CIS QDs. The built QDSCs with alloyed Zn–Cu–In–S QDs as photosensitizer achieved an average power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.47% (Voc = 0.613 V, Jsc = 22.62 mA cm−2, FF = 0.610) under AM 1.5G one sun irradiation, which was enhanced by 21%, and 82% in comparison to those of CIS/ZnS, and CIS based solar cells, respectively. In comparison to cell device assembled by the plain CIS and core/shell structured CIS/ZnS, the enhanced photovoltaic performance in ZCIS QDSCs is mainly ascribed to the faster photon generated electron injection rate from QD into TiO2 substrate, and the effective restraint of charge recombination, as confirmed by incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE), open-circuit voltage decay (OCVD), as well as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. Benefiting from the accelerative electron injection and retarded charge recombination, Zn–Cu–In–S alloy QD based QDSC achieved a PCE of 8.55%, which is 21%, and 82% higher than those of CIS/ZnS, and pristine CIS QDs based solar cells, respectively.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Yue
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering
- East China University of Science and Technology
- Shanghai 200237
- China
- College of Materials and Energy
| | - Huashang Rao
- College of Materials and Energy
- South China Agricultural University
- Guangzhou 510642
- China
| | - Jun Du
- 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
- Guangzhou 510642
- China
| | - Juan Yu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering
- East China University of Science and Technology
- Shanghai 200237
- China
| | - Xinhua Zhong
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering
- East China University of Science and Technology
- Shanghai 200237
- China
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25
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Lee S, Flanagan JC, Lee B, Hwang T, Kim J, Gil B, Shim M, Park B. Route to Improving Photovoltaics Based on CdSe/CdSe xTe 1-x Type-II Heterojunction Nanorods: The Effect of Morphology and Cosensitization on Carrier Recombination and Transport. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:31931-31939. [PMID: 28850210 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b09745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
One-dimensionally elongated nanoparticles with type-II staggered band offset are of potential use as light-harvesting materials for photovoltaics, but only a limited attention has been given to elucidate the factors governing the cell performance obtainable from such materials. Herein, we describe a combined strategy to enhance charge collection from CdSe/CdSexTe1-x type-II heterojunction nanorods (HNRs) utilized as light harvesters for sensitized solar cells. By integrating morphology- and composition-tuned type-II HNRs into solar cells, factors that yield interfaces favorable both for the electron injection into TiO2 and hole transfer to electrolyte are examined. Furthermore, it is shown that a more efficient photovoltaic system results from cosensitization with CdS quantum dots (QDs) predeposited on a TiO2 scaffold, which improves charge collection from HNRs. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis suggests that such a synergistically enhanced system benefits from the decreased recombination within HNRs and facilitated charge transport through the cosensitized TiO2 electrode, even with the activation of a recombination path presumably related to the photogenerated holes in CdS QDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangheon Lee
- WCU Hybrid Materials Program, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Research Institute of Advanced Materials, Seoul National University , Seoul 08226, Korea
| | - Joseph C Flanagan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Byungho Lee
- WCU Hybrid Materials Program, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Research Institute of Advanced Materials, Seoul National University , Seoul 08226, Korea
| | - Taehyun Hwang
- WCU Hybrid Materials Program, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Research Institute of Advanced Materials, Seoul National University , Seoul 08226, Korea
| | - Jaewook Kim
- WCU Hybrid Materials Program, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Research Institute of Advanced Materials, Seoul National University , Seoul 08226, Korea
| | - Bumjin Gil
- WCU Hybrid Materials Program, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Research Institute of Advanced Materials, Seoul National University , Seoul 08226, Korea
| | - Moonsub Shim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Byungwoo Park
- WCU Hybrid Materials Program, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Research Institute of Advanced Materials, Seoul National University , Seoul 08226, Korea
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26
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Kumar PN, Kolay A, Deepa M, Shivaprasad SM, Srivastava AK. Stability, Scale-up, and Performance of Quantum Dot Solar Cells with Carbonate-Treated Titanium Oxide Films. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:25278-25290. [PMID: 28692805 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b05726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A novel yet simple approach of carbonate (CBN) treatment of TiO2 films is performed, and quantum dot solar cells (QDSCs) with high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs), reasonably good stabilities, and good fill factors (FFs) are fabricated with TiO2-CBN films. The ability of carbonate groups to passivate defects or oxygen vacancies of TiO2 is confirmed from a nominally enhanced band gap, a lowered defect induced fluorescence intensity, an additional Ti-OH signal obtained after carbonate decomposition, and a more capacitive low frequency electrochemical impedance behavior achieved for TiO2-CBN compared to untreated TiO2. A large area QDSC of 1 cm2 with a TiO2-CBN/CdS/Au@PAA (poly(acrylic acid)) photoanode delivers an enhanced PCE of 4.32% as opposed to 3.03% achieved for its analogous cell with untreated TiO2. Impedance analysis illustrates the role of carbonate treatment in increasing the recombination resistance at the photoanode/electrolyte interfaces and in suppressing back-electron transfer to the electrolyte, thus validating the superior PCE achieved for the cell with carbonate-treated TiO2. QDSCs with the configuration TiO2-CBN/CdS/Au@PAA-polysulfide/SiO2 gel-carbon-fabric/WO3-x and active areas of 0.2-0.3 cm2 yield efficiencies in the range of 5.16 to 6.3%, and the average efficiency of the cells is 5.9%. The champion cell is characterized by the following photovoltaic parameters: JSC (short circuit current density), 11.04 mA cm-2; VOC (open circuit voltage), 0.9 V; FF, 0.63; and PCE, 6.3%. Stability tests performed on this cell show that dark storage has a less deleterious effect on cell performance compared to extended illumination. In dark, the PCE of the cell dropped from 5.69 to 5.52%, and under prolonged continuous irradiance of 5 h, it decreased from 5.91 to 4.83%. A scaled-up QDSC with the same architecture of 4 cm2 size showed a PCE of 1.06%, and the demonstration of the lighting of a LED accomplished using this cell exemplifies that this cell can be used for powering electronic devices that require low power.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Naresh Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad , Kandi, Sangareddy, Telangana 502285, India
| | - Ankita Kolay
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad , Kandi, Sangareddy, Telangana 502285, India
| | - Melepurath Deepa
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad , Kandi, Sangareddy, Telangana 502285, India
| | - S M Shivaprasad
- International Centre for Materials Science, Chemistry and Physics of Materials Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research , Jakkur, Bangalore 560064, India
| | - Avanish K Srivastava
- CSIR-National Physical Laboratory , Dr. K. S. Krishnan Road, New Delhi 110012, India
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28
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Wu Q, Cai C, Zhai L, Wang J, Kong F, Yang Y, Zhang L, Zou C, Huang S. Zinc dopant inspired enhancement of electron injection for CuInS2quantum dot-sensitized solar cells. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ra06659g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The PCE of doped CuInS2QDSCs increased from 5.21% to 5.90%, due to broadened optoelectronic response range and accelerated electron injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinqin Wu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials
- College of Chemistry and Material Engineering
- Wenzhou University
- Wenzhou 325027
- People's Republic of China
| | - Chunqi Cai
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials
- College of Chemistry and Material Engineering
- Wenzhou University
- Wenzhou 325027
- People's Republic of China
| | - Lanlan Zhai
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials
- College of Chemistry and Material Engineering
- Wenzhou University
- Wenzhou 325027
- People's Republic of China
| | - Jiantao Wang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials
- College of Chemistry and Material Engineering
- Wenzhou University
- Wenzhou 325027
- People's Republic of China
| | - Fantai Kong
- Key Laboratory of Novel Thin Film Solar Cells
- Hefei Institute of Physics Science
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Hefei 230088
- People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Yang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials
- College of Chemistry and Material Engineering
- Wenzhou University
- Wenzhou 325027
- People's Republic of China
| | - Lijie Zhang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials
- College of Chemistry and Material Engineering
- Wenzhou University
- Wenzhou 325027
- People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Zou
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials
- College of Chemistry and Material Engineering
- Wenzhou University
- Wenzhou 325027
- People's Republic of China
| | - Shaoming Huang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials
- College of Chemistry and Material Engineering
- Wenzhou University
- Wenzhou 325027
- People's Republic of China
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