1
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Synthesis and electrochemical performance of α-Al 2O 3 and M-Al 2O 4 spinel nanocomposites in hybrid quantum dot-sensitized solar cells. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17009. [PMID: 36220849 PMCID: PMC9554019 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21186-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study is to describe the performance of the aluminum oxide nanoparticle and metal aluminate spinel nanoparticle as photo-anodes in quantum dot photovoltaic. By using a sol–gel auto combustion method, Al2O3 NPs, CoAl2O4, CuAl2O4, NiAl2O4, and ZnAl2O4 were successfully synthesized. The formation of Al2O3 NPs and MAl2O4 (M=Co, Cu, Ni, Zn) nanocomposite was confirmed by using several characteristics such as XRD, UV–Vis, FTIR, FE-SEM, and EDX spectra. The XRD shows that the CoAl2O4 has a smaller crystallite size (12.37 nm) than CuAl2O4, NiAl2O4, and ZnAl2O4. The formation of a single-phase spinel structure of the calcined samples at 1100 °C was confirmed by FTIR. Our studies showed that the pure Al2O3 NPs have a lower energy gap (1.37 eV) than synthesized MAl2O4 under UV–Vis irradiation. Due to the well separation between the light-generated electrons and the formed holes, the cell containing ZnAl2O4 nanocomposite with CdS QDs has the highest efficiency of 8.22% and the current density of 22.86 mA cm−2, while the cell based on NiAl2O4 as a photoelectrode, six cycles of CdS/ZnS QDs, and P-rGO as a counter electrode achieved the best (PCE) power conversion efficiency of 15.14% and the current density of 28.22 mA cm−2. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy shows that ZnAl2O4 and NiAl2O4 nanocomposites have the highest life times of the photogenerated electrons (τn) of 11*10−2 and 96*10−3 ms, respectively, and the lowest diffusion rates (Keff) of 9.09 and 10.42 ms−1, respectively.
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2
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Photovoltaic study of TiO2 films sensitized with Cu2O and CdS QDs for applications in a solar cell. J SOLID STATE CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jssc.2021.122648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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3
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Frazier J, Cavey K, Coil S, Hamo H, Zhang M, Van Patten PG. Rapid and Sensitive Identification and Discrimination of Bound/Unbound Ligands on Colloidal Nanocrystals via Direct Analysis in Real-Time Mass Spectrometry. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:14703-14712. [PMID: 34879204 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c02548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Direct analysis in real-time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) has been applied to the characterization of colloidal nanocrystal surface ligands. The nanocrystals (NCs) in colloidal suspension were purified and deposited onto a solid substrate, and the solvent was allowed to evaporate. Ligand desorption was thermally stimulated using a temperature ramp from 30 °C up to 530 °C, and the desorbed ligands were introduced into a DART-MS instrument where metastable He atoms provide energy for ionization and fragmentation through the reaction with ambient vapors including O2 and H2O. The method allows the identification of ligand species with various functional groups, even in complex, mixed-ligand samples. Bound and unbound molecules can be distinguished based on the desorption temperature. In ideal cases, the desorption profile for a given molecule can be analyzed according to methods adapted from thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) to estimate desorption activation energy for NC-bound ligands. Results are presented and discussed for different nanocrystal and ligand types. The method is a promising complement to the range of existing tools for NC ligand analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared Frazier
- Department of Chemistry, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132, United States
| | - Kevin Cavey
- Department of Chemistry, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132, United States
| | - Sydney Coil
- Department of Chemistry, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132, United States
| | - Helene Hamo
- Department of Chemistry, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132, United States
| | - Mengliang Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132, United States
| | - P Gregory Van Patten
- Department of Chemistry, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132, United States
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4
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Du N, Cui Y, Zhang L, Yang M. Effect of Mn doping on the electron injection in CdSe/TiO 2 quantum dot sensitized solar cells. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:647-656. [PMID: 33332495 DOI: 10.1039/d0cp03866k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Promotion in power conversion efficiency is an appealing task for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells that have emerged as promising materials for the utilization of clean and sustainable energy. Doping of Mn atoms into quantum dots (QD) has been proven to be one of the effective approaches, although the origin of such a promotion remains controversial. While several procedures are involved in the power conversion process, electron injection from the QD to the semiconductor oxide substrate is focused on in this work using first-principles calculations. Based on the Marcus theory, the electron injection rates are evaluated for the quantum dot-sensitized solar cell models in which the pure and Mn-doped core-shell CdSe clusters are deposited on a semiconductor titanium dioxide substrate. Enhanced rates are obtained for the Mn-doped structure, which is in qualitative agreement with the experiments. A large number of dominant injection channels and strong QD-substrate coupling are responsible for the Mn-induced rate enhancement, which could be achieved by manipulating the band structure mapping between the QD and the semiconductor oxide. By addressing the role of an Mn dopant in the electron injection process, strategies for the promotion of electron injection rates are proposed for the design of quantum dot-sensitized solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Du
- Institute of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China.
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5
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Lee SY, Yoo SM, Lee HJ. Adsorption and Cation-Exchange Behavior of Zinc Sulfide on Mesoporous TiO 2 Film and Its Applications to Solar Cells. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:4144-4152. [PMID: 32216352 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c00095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Zinc sulfide (ZnS) was deposited onto the surface of mesoporous TiO2 film by a typical successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) process. By inducing a spontaneous cation exchange between ZnS and a target cation (Pb2+, Cu2+, Ag+, or Bi3+) dissolved in a chemical bath when they are in contact, it was demonstrated successfully that white translucent ZnS on the substrate could be changed to new brown-colored metal chalcogenides and the amount of ZnS deposited originally by different conditions could be compared in a qualitative way with the degree of color change. By utilizing this simple but effective process, the evolution of a well-known ZnS passivation layer prepared from different chemical baths in quantum dot (QD)-sensitized solar cells could be tracked visually by checking the degree of color change of TiO2/ZnS electrodes after the induced specific cation exchange. When applied to representative CdS QD-sensitized solar cells, it was revealed clearly how the different degrees and rates of ZnS deposition could affect the overall power conversion efficiency while finding an optimized passivation layer over TiO2/CdS electrode. An acetate anion-coupled Zn2+ source was observed to give a much faster deposition of a ZnS passivation layer than a nitrate anion one because of its higher pH-induced more-favorable adsorption of Zn2+ on the surface of TiO2. As another useful application of the ZnS-based cation exchange, as-deposited ZnS was used as a template for preparing a more complex metal chalcogenide onto a mesoporous TiO2 film. The ZnS-derived Sb2S3-sensitized electrode showed a promising initial result of over 1.0% overall power conversion efficiency with a very thin ZrO2 passivation layer between TiO2 and Sb2S3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seul-Yi Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Jeonbuk National University (JBNU), Jeonju 561-756, South Korea
| | - So-Min Yoo
- Department of Chemistry, Jeonbuk National University (JBNU), Jeonju 561-756, South Korea
| | - Hyo Joong Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Jeonbuk National University (JBNU), Jeonju 561-756, South Korea
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6
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Shwetharani R, Sushmitha T, Preethi GU, Balakrishna RG. Amplification of active sites and porosity for the adsorption of QDs via the induction of the rare-earth element la into TiO 2 for enhanced photovoltaic effects in QDSSCs. NEW J CHEM 2020. [DOI: 10.1039/d0nj03718d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Schematic representing preparation of TiO2 and La–TiO2, QDSSCs device development and mechanism of charge carrier’s migration in device along with IV curve for La–TiO2.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Shwetharani
- Centre for Nano and Material Sciences
- Jain Global Campus
- Jain University
- Bangalore Rural
- India
| | - T. Sushmitha
- Centre for Nano and Material Sciences
- Jain Global Campus
- Jain University
- Bangalore Rural
- India
| | - G. U. Preethi
- Centre for Nano and Material Sciences
- Jain Global Campus
- Jain University
- Bangalore Rural
- India
| | - R. Geetha Balakrishna
- Centre for Nano and Material Sciences
- Jain Global Campus
- Jain University
- Bangalore Rural
- India
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7
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Zhang L, Rao H, Pan Z, Zhong X. ZnS xSe 1-x Alloy Passivation Layer for High-Efficiency Quantum-Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:41415-41423. [PMID: 31613581 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b14579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Interface modification is an important means for improving the performance of almost all optoelectronic devices. In quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs), effective surface modification of photoanode also has a critical impact on photovoltaic performance. At present, ZnS and ZnSe wide band gap semiconductors are the mainstream materials used for photoanode/electrolyte interface passivation in QDSCs. However, the problem with these two materials is that the passivation effect and the lattice match with TiO2/QD are difficult to be balanced. Although ZnS can form a larger energetic barrier due to the higher conduction band edge, its lattice mismatch with TiO2 and QD (such as CdSe and CuInSe2) is large, leading to the formation of additional defect states. On the contrary, ZnSe has a small lattice mismatch with TiO2 and QD but a relatively lower conduction band edge. Herein, we propose a strategy to employ ZnSxSe1-x alloy materials as a passivation layer for the first time to solve the drawbacks of single-component passivation layers. The ZnSxSe1-x alloy passivation layer was deposited on the Zn-Cu-In-Se (ZCISe) QD-sensitized TiO2 film electrode via successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. A stable polyselenosulfide/sulfide mixed anions were served as anion precursor for the formation of ZnSxSe1-x alloy passivation layer. Experimental results revealed that the alloy passivation layer is more favorable for the suppression of charge recombination at the photoanode/electrolyte interface. In addition, the ZnSxSe1-x alloy passivation layer can significantly improve the photogenerated electron extraction efficiency compared to the current classical ZnS passivation layer as confirmed by the transient absorption (TA) measurement. Consequently, the average efficiency of QDSCs was improved from 12.17 to 13.08% with the replacement of traditional ZnS passivation layer by ZnSSe-10 under AM 1.5G one full sun illumination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering , East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237 , China
- 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
| | - Zhenxiao Pan
- College of Materials and Energy , South China Agricultural University , Guangzhou 510642 , China
| | - Xinhua Zhong
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering , East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai 200237 , China
- College of Materials and Energy , South China Agricultural University , Guangzhou 510642 , China
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8
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Muhyuddin M, Ahsan MT, Ali I, Khan TF, Akram MA, Basit MA. A new insight into solar paint concept: regeneration of CuS nanoparticles for paintable counter electrodes in QDSSCs. APPLIED PHYSICS A 2019; 125:716. [DOI: 10.1007/s00339-019-3009-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
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9
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Indhumathy M, Prakasam A. Controllable Synthesis of NiS/rGO Hybrid Composite: An Excellent Counter Electrode for Dye Sensitized Solar Cell. J CLUST SCI 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10876-019-01620-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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10
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Maity P, Gayathri T, Singh SP, Ghosh HN. Impact of FRET between Molecular Aggregates and Quantum Dots. Chem Asian J 2019; 14:597-605. [PMID: 30600921 DOI: 10.1002/asia.201801688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Energy transfer has been employed in third-generation solar cells for the conversion of light into electrical energy. Long-range nonradiative energy transfer from semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) to fluorophores has been demonstrated by using CdS QDs and thiophene-BODIPY (boron dipyrromethene, abbreviated as TG2). TG2 shows a broad photoluminescence (PL) spectrum, which varies with concentration. At very low concentrations, monomeric units are present; then, upon increasing the concentration, these monomers form a mixed (J-/H-)aggregated state. Energy transfer between the CdS QDs and TG2 was confirmed by separately investigating the interactions between CdS and the monomer of TG2 and between CdS and the aggregated states of TG2. Size-dependent PL quenching confirmed that nonradiative Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from photoexcited CdS QDs to the J-aggregate state of TG2 was the major energy-relaxation channel, which occurred on the timescale of hundreds of fs. These results have broad applications in the field of light harvesting based on the assembly of molecular aggregates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Partha Maity
- Radiation and Photo Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Center, Mumbai, 400085, India
| | - Thumuganti Gayathri
- Polymers and Functional Materials Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Tarnaka, Hyderabad, 500007, India
| | - Surya Prakash Singh
- Polymers and Functional Materials Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Tarnaka, Hyderabad, 500007, India
| | - Hirendra N Ghosh
- Radiation and Photo Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Center, Mumbai, 400085, India.,Institute of Nano Science & Technology Mohali, Punjab, 160062, India
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11
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Maiti S, Dana J, Ghosh HN. Correlating Charge‐Carrier Dynamics with Efficiency in Quantum‐Dot Solar Cells: Can Excitonics Lead to Highly Efficient Devices? Chemistry 2018; 25:692-702. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201801853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Revised: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Maiti
- Radiation & Photochemistry DivisionBhabha Atomic Research Centre Mumbai 400085 India
- Department of ChemistrySavitribai Phule Pune University Ganeshkhind Pune 411007 India
| | - Jayanta Dana
- Radiation & Photochemistry DivisionBhabha Atomic Research Centre Mumbai 400085 India
| | - Hirendra N. Ghosh
- Radiation & Photochemistry DivisionBhabha Atomic Research Centre Mumbai 400085 India
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology Mohali Punjab 160062 India
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12
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Shen G, Du Z, Pan Z, Du J, Zhong X. Solar Paint from TiO 2 Particles Supported Quantum Dots for Photoanodes in Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells. ACS OMEGA 2018; 3:1102-1109. [PMID: 31457952 PMCID: PMC6641499 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.7b01761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The preparation of quantum dot (QD)-sensitized photoanodes, especially the deposition of QDs on TiO2 matrix, is usually a time-extensive and performance-determinant step in the construction of QD-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs). Herein, a transformative approach for immobilizing QD on the TiO2 matrix was developed by simply mixing the as-prepared oil-soluble QDs with TiO2 P25 particles suspension for a period as short as half a minute. The solar paint was prepared by adding the TiO2/QD composite in a binder solution under ultrasonication. The QD-sensitized photoanodes were then obtained by simply brushing the solar paint on a fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate followed by a low-temperature annealing at ambient atmosphere. Sandwich-structured complete QDSCs were assembled with the use of Cu2S/brass as counter electrode and polysulfide redox couple as an electrolyte. The photovoltaic performance of the resulting Zn-Cu-In-Se (ZCISe) QDSCs was evaluated after primary optimization of the QD/TiO2 ratio as well as the thicknesses of photoanode films. In this proof of concept with a simple solar paint approach for photoanode films, an average power conversion efficiency of 4.13% (J sc = 11.11 mA/cm2, V oc = 0.590 V, fill factor = 0.631) was obtained under standard irradiation condition. This facile solar paint approach offers a simple and convenient approach for QD-sensitized photoanodes in the construction of QDSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gencai Shen
- School
of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Zhonglin Du
- School
of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Zhenxiao Pan
- College
of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jun Du
- School
of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xinhua Zhong
- School
of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
- College
of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, Guangzhou 510642, China
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13
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Maiti S, Azlan F, Anand P, Jadhav Y, Dana J, Haram SK, Ghosh HN. Boosting the Efficiency of Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells through Formation of the Cation-Exchanged Hole Transporting Layer. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2018; 34:50-57. [PMID: 29219326 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b02659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In search of a viable way to enhance the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of quantum dot-sensitized solar cells, we have designed a method by introducing a hole transporting layer (HTL) of p-type CuS through partial cation exchange process in a postsynthetic ligand-assisted assembly of nanocrystals (NCs). High-quality CdSe and CdSSe gradient alloy NCs were synthesized through colloidal method, and the charge carrier dynamics was monitored through ultrafast transient absorption measurements. A notable increase in the short-circuit current concomitant with the increase in open-circuit voltage and the fill factor led to 45% increment in PCE for CdSe-based solar cells upon formation of the CuS HTL. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy further revealed that the CuS layer formation increases recombination resistance at the TiO2/NC/electrolyte interface, implying that interfacial recombination gets drastically reduced because of smooth hole transfer to the redox electrolyte. Utilizing the same approach for CdSSe alloy NCs, the highest PCE (4.03%) was obtained upon CuS layer formation compared to 3.26% PCE for the untreated one and 3.61% PCE with the conventional ZnS coating. Therefore, such strategies will help to overcome the kinetic barriers of hole transfer to electrolytes, which is one of the major obstacles of high-performance devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Maiti
- Radiation and Photochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre , Mumbai 400085, India
- Department of Chemistry, Savitribai Phule Pune University , Ganeshkhind, Pune 411007, India
| | - Farazuddin Azlan
- Radiation and Photochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre , Mumbai 400085, India
| | - Pranav Anand
- Radiation and Photochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre , Mumbai 400085, India
| | - Yogesh Jadhav
- Department of Chemistry, Savitribai Phule Pune University , Ganeshkhind, Pune 411007, India
| | - Jayanta Dana
- Radiation and Photochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre , Mumbai 400085, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute , Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Santosh K Haram
- Department of Chemistry, Savitribai Phule Pune University , Ganeshkhind, Pune 411007, India
| | - Hirendra N Ghosh
- Radiation and Photochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre , Mumbai 400085, India
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology , Mohali, Punjab 160062, India
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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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15
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Raissi M, Sajjad MT, Pellegrin Y, Roland TJ, Jobic S, Boujtita M, Ruseckas A, Samuel IDW, Odobel F. Size dependence of efficiency of PbS quantum dots in NiO-based dye sensitised solar cells and mechanistic charge transfer investigation. NANOSCALE 2017; 9:15566-15575. [PMID: 28984887 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr03698a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Quantum dots (QDs) are very attractive materials for solar cells due to their high absorption coefficients, size dependence and easy tunability of their optical and electronic properties due to quantum confinement. Particularly interesting are PbS QDs owing to their broad spectral absorption until long wavelengths, their easy processability and low cost. Here, we used control of the PbS QD size to understand charge transfer processes at the interfaces of a NiO semiconductor and explain the optimal QD size in photovoltaic devices. Towards this goal, we have synthesized a series of PbS QDs with different diameters (2.8 nm to 4 nm) and investigated charge transfer dynamics by time resolved spectroscopy and their ability to act as sensitizers in nanocrystalline NiO based solar cells using the cobalt tris(4,4'-ditert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine) complex as a redox mediator. We found that PbS QDs with an average diameter of 3.0 nm show the highest performance in terms of efficient charge transfer and light harvesting efficiency. Our study showed that hole injection from the PbS QDs to the NiO valence band (VB) is an efficient process even with low injection driving force (-0.3 eV) and occurs in 6-10 ns. Furthermore we found that direct electrolyte reduction (photoinduced electron transfer to the cobalt redox mediator) also occurs in parallel to the hole injection with a rate constant of similar magnitude (10-20 ns). In spite of its large driving force, the rate constant of the oxidative quenching of PbS by Co(iii) diminishes more steeply than hole injection on NiO when the diameter of PbS increases. This is understood as the consequence of increasing the trap states that limit electron shift. We believe that our detailed findings will advance the future design of QD sensitized photocathodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahfoudh Raissi
- CEISAM, Chimie Et Interdisciplinarité, Synthèse, Analyse, Modélisation, CNRS, UMR CNRS 6230, UFR des Sciences et des Techniques, 2, rue de la Houssinière - BP 92208, 44322 NANTES Cedex 3, France.
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16
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Kokal RK, Deepa M, Kalluri A, Singh S, Macwan I, Patra PK, Gilarde J. Solar cells with PbS quantum dot sensitized TiO 2-multiwalled carbon nanotube composites, sulfide-titania gel and tin sulfide coated C-fabric. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2017; 19:26330-26345. [PMID: 28936513 DOI: 10.1039/c7cp05582j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Novel approaches to boost quantum dot solar cell (QDSC) efficiencies are in demand. Herein, three strategies are used: (i) a hydrothermally synthesized TiO2-multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite instead of conventional TiO2, (ii) a counter electrode (CE) that has not been applied to QDSCs until now, namely, tin sulfide (SnS) nanoparticles (NPs) coated over a conductive carbon (C)-fabric, and (iii) a quasi-solid-state gel electrolyte composed of S2-, an inert polymer and TiO2 nanoparticles as opposed to a polysulfide solution based hole transport layer. MWCNTs by virtue of their high electrical conductivity and suitably positioned Fermi level (below the conduction bands of TiO2 and PbS) allow fast photogenerated electron injection into the external circuit, and this is confirmed by a higher efficiency of 6.3% achieved for a TiO2-MWCNT/PbS/ZnS based (champion) cell, compared to the corresponding TiO2/PbS/ZnS based cell (4.45%). Nanoscale current map analysis of TiO2 and TiO2-MWCNTs reveals the presence of narrowly spaced highly conducting domains in the latter, which equips it with an average current carrying capability greater by a few orders of magnitude. Electron transport and recombination resistances are lower and higher respectively for the TiO2-MWCNT/PbS/ZnS cell relative to the TiO2/PbS/ZnS cell, thus leading to a high performance cell. The efficacy of SnS/C-fabric as a CE is confirmed from the higher efficiency achieved in cells with this CE compared to the C-fabric based cells. Lower charge transfer and diffusional resistances, slower photovoltage decay, high electrical conductance and lower redox potential impart high catalytic activity to the SnS/C-fabric assembly for sulfide reduction and thus endow the TiO2-MWCNT/PbS/ZnS cell with a high open circuit voltage (0.9 V) and a large short circuit current density (∼20 mA cm-2). This study attempts to unravel how simple strategies can amplify QDSC performances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh K Kokal
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi-502285, Sangareddy, Telangana, India.
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17
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Yaman M, Han AS, Bandara J, Karakaya C, Dag Ö. Modifying Titania Using the Molten-Salt-Assisted Self-Assembly Process for Cadmium Selenide-Quantum Dot-Sensitized Photoanodes. ACS OMEGA 2017; 2:4982-4990. [PMID: 31457775 PMCID: PMC6641683 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.7b00839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Sensitizing titania with semiconducting quantum dots (QDs) is an important field for the development of third-generation photovoltaics. Many methods have been developed to effectively incorporate QDs over the surface of mesoporous titania, assembled from the 20-25 nm titania nanoparticles. Here, we introduce a molten-salt-assisted self-assembly (MASA) method to fabricate CdSe-modified mesoporous titania photoanodes. A mixture of ethanol, two surfactants (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and 10-lauryl ether), silica (tetramethyl orthosilicate) or titania source (Ti(OC4H9)4, acid (HNO3), and cadmium nitrate solution was infiltrated into the pores of mesoporous titania (assembled using Degussa 25, P25) and immediately calcined at 450 °C to obtain mesoporous cadmium oxide-silica-titania (meso-CdO-SiO2-P25) or cadmium titanate-titania (meso-CdTiO3-P25) films. The MASA process is a simple method to smoothly coat or fill the pores of titania with mesoporous CdO-SiO2 or CdTiO3 that can be reacted under an H2Se atmosphere to convert cadmium species to CdSe at 100 °C. Etching of the silica films with a very dilute hydrogen fluoride solution produces mesoporous CdSe-titania (meso-CdSe-P25) electrodes. The method is flexible to adjust the CdSe/TiO2 mole ratio over a very broad range in the films. The films were characterized at every stage of the preparation to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. The electrodes were also tested in a simple two-electrode solar cell to demonstrate the performance of the electrodes that have a power conversion efficiency of 3.35%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muammer
Y. Yaman
- Department
of Chemistry and UNAM-National Nanotechnology Research Center
and Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Bilkent University, 06800 Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Selim Han
- Department
of Chemistry and UNAM-National Nanotechnology Research Center
and Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Bilkent University, 06800 Ankara, Turkey
| | - Jayasundera Bandara
- National
Institute of Fundamental Studies, Hantana Road, Kandy, Central
Province 20000, Sri
Lanka
| | - Cüneyt Karakaya
- Department
of Chemistry and UNAM-National Nanotechnology Research Center
and Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Bilkent University, 06800 Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ömer Dag
- Department
of Chemistry and UNAM-National Nanotechnology Research Center
and Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Bilkent University, 06800 Ankara, Turkey
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18
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Debnath T, Sebastian D, Maiti S, Ghosh HN. Tuning Hole and Electron Transfer from Photoexcited CdSe Quantum Dots to Phenol Derivatives: Effect of Electron-Donating and -Withdrawing Moieties. Chemistry 2017; 23:7306-7314. [PMID: 28345273 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201700166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Charge-transfer processes from photoexcited CdSe quantum dots (QDs) to phenol derivatives with electron- donating (4-methoxy) and -withdrawing (4-nitro) moieties have been demonstrated by using steady-state and time- resolved emission and femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. Steady-state and time-resolved emission studies suggest that in the presence of both 4-nitrophenol (4NP) and 4-methoxyphenol (4MP) CdSe QDs luminescence is quenched. Stern-Volmer analysis suggests both static and dynamic mechanisms are active for both the QD/phenol composites. Cyclic voltammetric analysis recommends that photoexcited CdSe QDs can donate electrons to 4NP and holes to 4MP. To reconfirm both electron- and hole-transfer mechanisms, CdSe/CdS quasi-type II and CdSe/CdTe type II core-shell nanocrystals were synthesized and photoluminescence quenching was monitored in the absence and presence of both 4NP and 4MP, for which hole and electron transfer were systematically restricted. Results suggest that indeed electron and hole transfer take place from photoexcited CdSe to 4NP and 4MP, respectively. To monitor the charge-transfer dynamics in both systems on an early timescale, femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopic techniques have been employed. Electron and hole transfer and charge-recombination dynamics are discussed and the effect of electron-donating and -withdrawing groups has been demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tushar Debnath
- Radiation and Photochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400 085, India
| | - Deepa Sebastian
- Radiation and Photochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400 085, India
| | - Sourav Maiti
- Radiation and Photochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400 085, India.,Department of Chemistry, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Hirendra N Ghosh
- Radiation and Photochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400 085, India.,Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali, Punjab, 160062, India
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19
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Coughlan C, Ibáñez M, Dobrozhan O, Singh A, Cabot A, Ryan KM. Compound Copper Chalcogenide Nanocrystals. Chem Rev 2017; 117:5865-6109. [PMID: 28394585 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.6b00376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 331] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
This review captures the synthesis, assembly, properties, and applications of copper chalcogenide NCs, which have achieved significant research interest in the last decade due to their compositional and structural versatility. The outstanding functional properties of these materials stems from the relationship between their band structure and defect concentration, including charge carrier concentration and electronic conductivity character, which consequently affects their optoelectronic, optical, and plasmonic properties. This, combined with several metastable crystal phases and stoichiometries and the low energy of formation of defects, makes the reproducible synthesis of these materials, with tunable parameters, remarkable. Further to this, the review captures the progress of the hierarchical assembly of these NCs, which bridges the link between their discrete and collective properties. Their ubiquitous application set has cross-cut energy conversion (photovoltaics, photocatalysis, thermoelectrics), energy storage (lithium-ion batteries, hydrogen generation), emissive materials (plasmonics, LEDs, biolabelling), sensors (electrochemical, biochemical), biomedical devices (magnetic resonance imaging, X-ray computer tomography), and medical therapies (photochemothermal therapies, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, and drug delivery). The confluence of advances in the synthesis, assembly, and application of these NCs in the past decade has the potential to significantly impact society, both economically and environmentally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Coughlan
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Bernal Institute, University of Limerick , Limerick, Ireland
| | - Maria Ibáñez
- Catalonia Energy Research Institute - IREC, Sant Adria de Besos , Jardins de les Dones de Negre n.1, Pl. 2, 08930 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oleksandr Dobrozhan
- Catalonia Energy Research Institute - IREC, Sant Adria de Besos , Jardins de les Dones de Negre n.1, Pl. 2, 08930 Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Electronics and Computing, Sumy State University , 2 Rymskogo-Korsakova st., 40007 Sumy, Ukraine
| | - Ajay Singh
- Materials Physics & Applications Division: Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Los Alamos National Laboratory , Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | - Andreu Cabot
- Catalonia Energy Research Institute - IREC, Sant Adria de Besos , Jardins de les Dones de Negre n.1, Pl. 2, 08930 Barcelona, Spain.,ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Kevin M Ryan
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Bernal Institute, University of Limerick , Limerick, Ireland
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20
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Marinovic A, Kiat LS, Dunn S, Titirici MM, Briscoe J. Carbon-Nanodot Solar Cells from Renewable Precursors. CHEMSUSCHEM 2017; 10:1004-1013. [PMID: 28107609 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201601741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Revised: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
It has recently been shown that waste biomass can be converted into a wide range of functional materials, including those with desirable optical and electronic properties, offering the opportunity to find new uses for these renewable resources. Photovoltaics is one area in which finding the combination of abundant, low-cost and non-toxic materials with the necessary functionality can be challenging. In this paper the performance of carbon nanodots derived from a wide range of biomaterials obtained from different biomass sources as sensitisers for TiO2 -based nanostructured solar cells was compared; polysaccharides (chitosan and chitin), monosaccharide (d-glucose), amino acids (l-arginine and l-cysteine) and raw lobster shells were used to produce carbon nanodots through hydrothermal carbonisation. The highest solar power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 0.36 % was obtained by using l-arginine carbon nanodots as sensitisers, whereas lobster shells, as a model source of chitin from actual food waste, showed a PCE of 0.22 %. By comparing this wide range of materials, the performance of the solar cells was correlated with the materials characteristics by carefully investigating the structural and optical properties of each family of carbon nanodots, and it was shown that the combination of amine and carboxylic acid functionalisation is particularly beneficial for the solar-cell performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Marinovic
- Materials Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, E14NS, London, UK
| | - Lim S Kiat
- National University of Singapore, Faculty of Engineering, 9 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore, 117575, Singapore
| | - Steve Dunn
- Materials Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, E14NS, London, UK
| | | | - Joe Briscoe
- Materials Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, E14NS, London, UK
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21
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Kumar PN, Kolay A, Kumar SK, Patra P, Aphale A, Srivastava AK, Deepa M. Counter Electrode Impact on Quantum Dot Solar Cell Efficiencies. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2016; 8:27688-27700. [PMID: 27700023 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b08921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The counter electrode (CE), despite being as relevant as the photoanode in a quantum dot solar cell (QDSC), has hardly received the scientific attention it deserves. In this study, nine CEs (single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), tungsten oxide (WO3), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), copper sulfide (Cu2S), candle soot, functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (F-MWCNTs), reduced tungsten oxide (WO3-x), carbon fabric (C-Fabric), and C-Fabric/WO3-x) were prepared by using low-cost components and facile procedures. QDSCs were fabricated with a TiO2/CdS film which served as a common photoanode for all CEs. The power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) were 2.02, 2.1, 2.79, 2.88, 2.95, 3.78, 3.66, 3.96, and 4.6%, respectively, and the incident photon to current conversion efficiency response was also found to complement the PCE response. Among all CEs employed here, C-Fabric/WO3-x outperforms all the other CEs, for the synergy between C-Fabric and WO3-x comes to the fore during cell operation. The low sheet resistance of C-Fabric and its high surface area due to the meshlike morphology enables high WO3-x loading during electrodeposition, and the good electrocatalytic activity of WO3-x, the very low overpotential, and its high electrical conductivity that facilitate electron transfer to the electrolyte are responsible for the superior PCE. WO3-based electrodes have not been used until date in QDSCs; the ease of fabrication of WO3 films and their good chemical stability and scalability also favor their application to QDSCs. Futuristic possibilities for other novel composite CEs are also discussed. We anticipate this study to be useful for a well-rounded development of high-performance QDSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Naresh Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad , Kandi, Sangareddy 502285, Telangana, India
| | - Ankita Kolay
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad , Kandi, Sangareddy 502285, Telangana, India
| | - S Krishna Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad , Kandi, Sangareddy 502285, Telangana, India
| | | | | | | | - Melepurath Deepa
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad , Kandi, Sangareddy 502285, Telangana, India
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22
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Du Z, Pan Z, Fabregat-Santiago F, Zhao K, Long D, Zhang H, Zhao Y, Zhong X, Yu JS, Bisquert J. Carbon Counter-Electrode-Based Quantum-Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells with Certified Efficiency Exceeding 11. J Phys Chem Lett 2016; 7:3103-3111. [PMID: 27455143 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.6b01356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The mean power conversion efficiency (PCE) of quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs) is mainly limited by the low photovoltage and fill factor (FF), which are derived from the high redox potential of polysulfide electrolyte and the poor catalytic activity of the counter electrode (CE), respectively. Herein, we report that this problem is overcome by adopting Ti mesh supported mesoporous carbon (MC/Ti) CE. The confined area in Ti mesh substrate not only offers robust carbon film with submillimeter thickness to ensure high catalytic capacity, but also provides an efficient three-dimension electrical tunnel with better conductivity than state-of-art Cu2S/FTO CE. More importantly, the MC/Ti CE can down shift the redox potential of polysulfide electrolyte to promote high photovoltage. In all, MC/Ti CEs boost PCE of CdSe0.65Te0.35 QDSCs to a certified record of 11.16% (Jsc = 20.68 mA/cm(2), Voc = 0.798 V, FF = 0.677), an improvement of 24% related to previous record. This work thus paves a way for further improvement of performance of QDSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhonglin Du
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Institute of Applied Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology , 200237 Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenxiao Pan
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Institute of Applied Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology , 200237 Shanghai, China
| | | | - Ke Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Institute of Applied Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology , 200237 Shanghai, China
| | - Donghui Long
- School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology , 200237 Shanghai, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Institute of Applied Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology , 200237 Shanghai, China
| | - Yixin Zhao
- School of Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Jiaotong University , 200240 Shanghai, China
| | - Xinhua Zhong
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Institute of Applied Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology , 200237 Shanghai, China
| | - Jong-Sung Yu
- Department of Energy Systems Engineering, DGIST , 42988 Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Juan Bisquert
- Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM), Universitat Jaume I , 12006 Castelló, Spain
- Department of Chemistry, King Abdulaziz University , Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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23
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24
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Zhu Y, Cui H, Jia S, Zheng J, Yang P, Wang Z, Zhu Z. 3D Graphene Frameworks with Uniformly Dispersed CuS as an Efficient Catalytic Electrode for Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells. Electrochim Acta 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2016.05.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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25
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A new probe into thin copper sulfide counter electrode with thickness below 100 nm for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells. Electrochim Acta 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2016.04.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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26
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Yang F, Xi J, Gan LY, Wang Y, Lu S, Ma W, Cai F, Zhang Y, Cheng C, Zhao Y. Improved charge transfer and photoelectrochemical performance of CuI/Sb 2 S 3 /TiO 2 heterostructure nanotube arrays. J Colloid Interface Sci 2016; 464:1-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2015.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2015] [Revised: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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27
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Luo S, Shen H, Hu W, Yao Z, Li J, Oron D, Wang N, Lin H. Improved charge separation and transport efficiency in panchromatic-sensitized solar cells with co-sensitization of PbS/CdS/ZnS quantum dots and dye molecules. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra27514h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Schematic energy diagram of carrier generation, transfer, and recombination in the TiO2/PbS/CdS/ZnS/N719 film.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songping Luo
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics & Fine Processing
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Tsinghua University
- Beijing 100084
- China
| | - Heping Shen
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics & Fine Processing
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Tsinghua University
- Beijing 100084
- China
| | - Wei Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Electronic Thin Films and Integrated Devices
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
- Chengdu 610054
- China
| | - Zhibo Yao
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics & Fine Processing
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Tsinghua University
- Beijing 100084
- China
| | - Jianbao Li
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics & Fine Processing
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Tsinghua University
- Beijing 100084
- China
| | - Dan Oron
- Department of Physics of Complex Systems
- Weizmann Institute of Science
- Rehovot 76100
- Israel
| | - Ning Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Electronic Thin Films and Integrated Devices
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
- Chengdu 610054
- China
| | - Hong Lin
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics & Fine Processing
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Tsinghua University
- Beijing 100084
- China
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28
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Venkata-Haritha M, Gopi CVVM, Young-Seok L, Kim HJ. Controlled growth of a nanoplatelet-structured copper sulfide thin film as a highly efficient counter electrode for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra08375g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
0.6 M acetic acid in CuS CE preparation shows the higher PCE of 5.15% in QDSSC than the Pt (1.25%).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lee Young-Seok
- School of Electrical Engineering
- Pusan National University
- Busan
- South Korea
| | - Hee-Je Kim
- School of Electrical Engineering
- Pusan National University
- Busan
- South Korea
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29
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Kumar P, Pal SK. Ultrafast multiexponential electron injection dynamics at a dye and ZnO QD interface: a combined spectroscopic and first principles study. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2016; 18:29571-29581. [DOI: 10.1039/c6cp04610j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Multiexponential electron injection across a dye and ZnO quantum dot (QD) interface has been demonstrated using a combination of steady-state, time-resolved fluorescence and femtosecond transient absorption (TA) spectroscopies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pushpendra Kumar
- School of Basic Sciences and Advanced Material Research Center
- Indian Institute of Technology Mandi
- Kamand 175005
- India
| | - Suman Kalyan Pal
- School of Basic Sciences and Advanced Material Research Center
- Indian Institute of Technology Mandi
- Kamand 175005
- India
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30
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31
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Albero J, Atienzar P, Corma A, Garcia H. Efficiency Records in Mesoscopic Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. CHEM REC 2015; 15:803-28. [DOI: 10.1002/tcr.201500007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Josep Albero
- Instituto Universitario de Tecnología Química (CSIC-UPV), Univ. Politécnica de Valencia; Avda. de los Narajos s/n Valencia 46022 Spain
| | - Pedro Atienzar
- Instituto Universitario de Tecnología Química (CSIC-UPV), Univ. Politécnica de Valencia; Avda. de los Narajos s/n Valencia 46022 Spain
| | - Avelino Corma
- Instituto Universitario de Tecnología Química (CSIC-UPV), Univ. Politécnica de Valencia; Avda. de los Narajos s/n Valencia 46022 Spain
| | - Hermenegildo Garcia
- Instituto Universitario de Tecnología Química (CSIC-UPV), Univ. Politécnica de Valencia; Avda. de los Narajos s/n Valencia 46022 Spain
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32
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Kim M, Ochirbat A, Lee HJ. CuS/CdS Quantum Dot Composite Sensitizer and Its Applications to Various TiO2 Mesoporous Film-Based Solar Cell Devices. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2015; 31:7609-7615. [PMID: 26086801 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5b00324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
A nanoscale composite sensitizer composed of CuS and CdS quantum dots (QDs) was prepared by a simple but effective layer-by-layer reaction between a metal cation (Cu(2+) or Cd(2+)) and a sulfide anion (S(2-)). The as-prepared composite CuS/CdS QD sensitizer displayed an enhanced photon-to-current conversion over the sensitizing range of the visible spectrum compared to the counterpart of the pure CdS sensitizer. At the optimized ratio of the deposited amounts of CuS and CdS, the best CuS/CdS-sensitized mesoporous TiO2 cell with a polysulfide electrolyte showed an overall power conversion efficiency of 3.60% with a short circuit current (Jsc) of 11.77 mA/cm(2), an open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.65 V, and a fill factor (FF) of 0.47. From the transmission electron microscopy images, the initially deposited CuS seemed to take a nucleation site to accumulate more CdS in the later deposition. The kinetic studies by impedance and Voc decay measurements also revealed that the CuS/CdS and CdS QD sensitizers made a similar interface between TiO2 and the electrolyte, but the former had a larger resistance of charge transfer with a longer lifetime of excitons after light absorption than the latter. To enhance the sensitizing power further, a multilayer QD sensitizer of CuS/CdS/CdSe was prepared by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR). This led to the best performance of 4.32% overall power conversion efficiency. Finally, a hybrid sensitizing system of inorganic QD (CuS/CdS) and organic dye (coded MK-2) was tested with a [Co(bpy)3](2+/3+) redox mediator. The CuS/CdS/MK-2 dye-sensitized cell showed over 3.0% efficiency under the standard illumination condition (1 sun).
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Affiliation(s)
- Myoung Kim
- †Department of Bioactive Material Sciences and ‡Department of Chemistry, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, South Korea (ROK)
| | - Altantuya Ochirbat
- †Department of Bioactive Material Sciences and ‡Department of Chemistry, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, South Korea (ROK)
| | - Hyo Joong Lee
- †Department of Bioactive Material Sciences and ‡Department of Chemistry, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, South Korea (ROK)
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33
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Tian J, Cao G. Control of Nanostructures and Interfaces of Metal Oxide Semiconductors for Quantum-Dots-Sensitized Solar Cells. J Phys Chem Lett 2015; 6:1859-1869. [PMID: 26263261 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.5b00301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Nanostructured metal oxide semiconductors (MOS), such as TiO2 and ZnO, have been regarded as an attractive material for the quantum dots sensitized solar cells (QDSCs), owing to their large specific surface area for loading a large amount of quantum dots (QDs) and strong scattering effect for capturing a sufficient fraction of photons. However, the large surface area of such nanostructures also provides easy pathways for charge recombination, and surface defects and connections between adjacent nanoparticles may retard effective charge injection and charge transport, leading to a loss of power conversion efficiency. Introduction of the surface modification for MOS or QDs has been thought an effective approach to improve the performance of QDSC. In this paper, the recent advances in the control of nanostructures and interfaces in QDSCs and prospects for the further development with higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) have been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianjun Tian
- †Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
- ‡Institute of Advanced Materials and Technology, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Guozhong Cao
- †Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
- §Department of Materials and Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-2120, United States
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34
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Azpiroz JM, Ronca E, De Angelis F. Photoinduced Energy Shift in Quantum-Dot-Sensitized TiO2: A First-Principles Analysis. J Phys Chem Lett 2015; 6:1423-1429. [PMID: 26263146 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.5b00393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
We investigate the photoinduced dipole (PID) phenomenon, which holds enormous potential for the optimization of quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs), by means of first-principles electronic structure calculations. We demonstrate that the sensitization of the TiO2 substrate with core/shell QDs produces almost no changes in the ground state but decisively improves the performance upon photoexcitation. In particular, the maximum attainable VOC is predicted to increase by ∼25 meV due to two additive effects: (i) the displacement of the photoexcited hole away from the TiO2 surface and (ii) the interfacial electrostatic interaction established between the TiO2-injected electrons and the holes residing in the QD core. We believe that this work, explaining the mechanisms by which PID cells deliver better efficiencies, paves the way for the design of new QDSSCs with improved efficiencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon M Azpiroz
- †Computational Laboratory for Hybrid/Organic Photovoltaics (CLHYO), Istituto CNR di Scienze e Tecnologie Molecolari (CNR-ISTM), Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06123 Perugia, Italy
- ‡Kimika Fakultatea, Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU) and Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), P. K. 1072, 20080 Donostia, Euskadi, Spain
| | - Enrico Ronca
- †Computational Laboratory for Hybrid/Organic Photovoltaics (CLHYO), Istituto CNR di Scienze e Tecnologie Molecolari (CNR-ISTM), Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Filippo De Angelis
- †Computational Laboratory for Hybrid/Organic Photovoltaics (CLHYO), Istituto CNR di Scienze e Tecnologie Molecolari (CNR-ISTM), Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06123 Perugia, Italy
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35
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Li W, Zhong X. Capping Ligand-Induced Self-Assembly for Quantum Dot Sensitized Solar Cells. J Phys Chem Lett 2015; 6:796-806. [PMID: 26262655 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.5b00001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs), having the advantages of low-cost assembling process, economically viable materials and intrinsic optoelectronic properties of QD sensitizers, are regarded as attractive candidates for the third-generation solar cells. In spite of the previous unsatisfied performance resulted from poor sensitization, an increasing power conversion efficiency has been experimentally confirmed with the development of effective deposition approaches in the last five years. In this Perspective article, we present an overview on versatile QD deposition methods, regarding mainly the effective loading of QDs and surface chemistry issues. Linker-assisted assembly, a most efficient sensitizer deposition approach to achieve fast, uniform and dense coverage of the sensitizers on mesoporous TiO2 film electrode, will be discussed with emphasis. Recent advances based on this deposition technique in achieving high efficiency are presented. Also, combined efforts regarding the overall improvement of the device have been discussed to provide more possible access to higher power conversion efficiencies of the QDSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Li
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Institute of Applied Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xinhua Zhong
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Institute of Applied Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
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36
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Lee HJ. Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells Based on Mesoporous TiO<sub>2</sub> Thin Films. JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY 2015. [DOI: 10.5229/jkes.2015.18.1.38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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37
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Maity P, Debnath T, Chopra U, Ghosh HN. Cascading electron and hole transfer dynamics in a CdS/CdTe core-shell sensitized with bromo-pyrogallol red (Br-PGR): slow charge recombination in type II regime. NANOSCALE 2015; 7:2698-2707. [PMID: 25583154 DOI: 10.1039/c4nr05829a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Ultrafast cascading hole and electron transfer dynamics have been demonstrated in a CdS/CdTe type II core-shell sensitized with Br-PGR using transient absorption spectroscopy and the charge recombination dynamics have been compared with those of CdS/Br-PGR composite materials. Steady state optical absorption studies suggest that Br-PGR forms strong charge transfer (CT) complexes with both the CdS QD and CdS/CdTe core-shell. Hole transfer from the photo-excited QD and QD core-shell to Br-PGR was confirmed by both steady state and time-resolved emission spectroscopy. Charge separation was also confirmed by detecting electrons in the conduction band of the QD and the cation radical of Br-PGR as measured from femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. Charge separation in the CdS/Br-PGR composite materials was found to take place in three different pathways, by transferring the photo-excited hole of CdS to Br-PGR, electron injection from the photo-excited Br-PGR to the CdS QD, and direct electron transfer from the HOMO of Br-PGR to the conduction band of the CdS QD. However, in the CdS/CdTe/Br-PGR system hole transfer from the photo-excited CdS to Br-PGR and electron injection from the photo-excited Br-PGR to CdS take place after cascading through the CdTe shell QD. Charge separation also takes place via direct electron transfer from the Br-PGR HOMO to the conduction band of CdS/CdTe. Charge recombination (CR) dynamics between the electron in the conduction band of the CdS QD and the Br-PGR cation radical were determined by monitoring the bleach recovery kinetics. The CR dynamics were found to be much slower in the CdS/CdTe/Br-PGR system than in the CdS/Br-PGR system. The formation of the strong CT complex and the separation of charges cascading through the CdTe shell help to slow down charge recombination in the type II regime.
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Affiliation(s)
- Partha Maity
- Radiation and Photochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai-400085, India.
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39
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Esparza D, Oliva J, López-Luke T, Carriles R, Zarazúa I, De la Rosa E. Current improvement in hybrid quantum dot sensitized solar cells by increased light-scattering with a polymer layer. RSC Adv 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra03280f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigate the effect of the incorporation of a material with efficient electron transport into a Hybrid Quantum Dot Sensitized Solar Cell (HyQDSSC).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jorge Oliva
- Centro de Investigaciones en Óptica
- León
- México
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40
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Arabzade S, Samadpour M, Taghavinia N. Sequential deposition as a route for efficient counter electrodes in quantum dot sensitized solar cells. RSC Adv 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra04401d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Sequentially deposited CuS and PbS layers on the FTO substrate as a counter electrode in quantum dot sensitized solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nima Taghavinia
- Department of Physics
- Sharif University of Technology
- Tehran
- Iran
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41
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Zhao J, Wang P, Wei L, Liu Z, Zhang J, Si H, Mai Y, Fang X, Liu X, Ren D. Enhanced photocurrent by the co-sensitization of ZnO with dye and CuInSe nanocrystals. Dalton Trans 2015; 44:12516-21. [DOI: 10.1039/c5dt01739d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
ZnO@Cu0.28In1.72Se2.72 (5–10 nm) was synthesised for the first time using a template-free method and a vacuum one-pot-nanocasting process without long-chain ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinjin Zhao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Shijiazhuang Tiedao University
- Shijiazhuang
- China
- Hebei Key Lab of Optic-electronic Information and Materials
| | - Peng Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Shijiazhuang Tiedao University
- Shijiazhuang
- China
- Hebei Key Lab of Optic-electronic Information and Materials
| | - Liyu Wei
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Shijiazhuang Tiedao University
- Shijiazhuang
- China
| | - Zhenghao Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Shijiazhuang Tiedao University
- Shijiazhuang
- China
- State Key Lab. of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure
| | - Jiangbin Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Shijiazhuang Tiedao University
- Shijiazhuang
- China
| | - Huayan Si
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Shijiazhuang Tiedao University
- Shijiazhuang
- China
| | - Yaohua Mai
- Hebei Key Lab of Optic-electronic Information and Materials
- The College of Physics Science and Technology
- Hebei University
- Baoding 071002
- China
| | - Xueqian Fang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Shijiazhuang Tiedao University
- Shijiazhuang
- China
| | - Xianglin Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Shijiazhuang Tiedao University
- Shijiazhuang
- China
| | - Deliang Ren
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Shijiazhuang Tiedao University
- Shijiazhuang
- China
- Hebei Key Lab of Optic-electronic Information and Materials
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42
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Pareek A, Paik P, Borse PH. Nanoniobia modification of CdS photoanode for an efficient and stable photoelectrochemical cell. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2014; 30:15540-15549. [PMID: 25458461 DOI: 10.1021/la503713t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Herein we report the surface modification of a CdS film by niobia nanoparticles via thioglycerol as an organic linker and thus fabricate an efficient and a stable photoanode for a photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell. We have synthesized three differenly sized (∼3, ∼6 ,and ∼9 nm) niobia nanoparticles by a hydrothermal synthesis approach and have further investigated the particle-size-dependent PEC performance of the nanoparticle-modified CdS photoanode. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirm the formation of Nb2O5 nanoparticles that are prepared via decomposition of the niobium peroxo complex during the hydrothermal reaction and reveal the presence of surface OH(-) groups over niobia nanoparticles that impart a high catalytic property to a material. The nano-Nb2O5-modified photoanode displayed a 23-fold higher power conversion efficiency compared to that of CdS. This modified structure increases the open circuit voltage (OCV) from 0.65 to 0.77 V, which is attributed to the nano-Nb2O5-induced surface passivation effect over bare CdS. Linking of nanoparticles on the CdS surface improves the photocorrosion stability of the CdS photoanode for even longer than 4 h in contrast to the tens of minutes for the base CdS surface. The uniform coverage of the CdS photoanode surface by niobia nanoparticles is thus found to be the controlling parameter for achieving a higher PEC performance and stability of the photoanode. This finding directed us to design an improved CdS photoanode for efficient and prolonged PEC hydrogen generation from a PEC cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alka Pareek
- International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials, Balapur PO, Hyderabad 500005, Telangana, India
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43
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Kim CS, Choi SH, Bang JH. New insight into copper sulfide electrocatalysts for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells: composition-dependent electrocatalytic activity and stability. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2014; 6:22078-87. [PMID: 25423356 DOI: 10.1021/am505473d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Despite recent significant strides in understanding various processes in quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs), little is known about the intrinsic electrocatalytic properties of copper sulfides that are the most commonly employed electrocatalysts for the counter electrode of QDSSCs. Given that the physical properties of copper sulfides are governed by their stoichiometry, the electrocatalytic activity of copper sulfides toward polysulfide reduction may also be dictated by their compositions. Using a new, simple approach to prepare robust copper sulfide films based on chemical bath deposition (CBD), we were able to delicately control the compositions of copper sulfides, which allowed us to perform a systematic investigation to gain new insight into copper sulfide-based electrocatalysts. The electrocatalytic activity is indeed dependent on the compositions of copper sulfides: Cu-deficient films (CuS and Cu1.12S) are superior to Cu-rich films (Cu1.75S and Cu1.8S) in their electrocatalytic activity. In addition, the stability of the Cu-deficient electrocatalysts is substantially better than that of the Cu-rich counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung Soo Kim
- Department of Bionanotechnology and §Department of Chemistry and Applied Chemistry, Hanyang University , Ansan, Kyeonggi-do 426-791, Republic of Korea
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44
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Kern ME, Watson DF. Linker-assisted attachment of CdSe quantum dots to TiO2: Time- and concentration-dependent adsorption, agglomeration, and sensitized photocurrent. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2014; 30:13293-13300. [PMID: 25333329 DOI: 10.1021/la503211k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
We have characterized the concentration and time dependences of the attachment of colloidal CdSe quantum dots (QDs) to 16-mercaptohexadanoic acid (MHDA)-functionalized nanocrystalline TiO2 thin films. The amount of QDs and the extent of their agglomeration on MHDA-functionalized TiO2 films were characterized by transmission- and reflectance-mode UV/vis absorption spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Optically transparent films with spatially homogeneous coloration and minimal agglomeration of QDs were prepared from 2.2 and 5.0 μM toluene dispersions of QDs at short reaction times (<5 h). In contrast, prolonged exposure of MHDA-functionalized TiO2 films to 22 μM dispersions of QDs yielded relatively opaque QD-functionalized films with spatially inhomogeneous coloration and substantial agglomeration of QDs. Agglomeration of QDs decreased the absorbed photon-to-current efficiencies of QD-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) by almost 3-fold. These results highlight the profound influence of agglomeration on the optical properties and interfacial electron-transfer reactivity of QD-functionalized TiO2 films prepared by in situ linker-assisted assembly as well as the photoelectrochemical performance of QDSSCs incorporating such films.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan E Kern
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York , Buffalo, New York 14260-3000, United States
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45
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Kamat PV, Christians JA, Radich EJ. Quantum dot solar cells: hole transfer as a limiting factor in boosting the photoconversion efficiency. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2014; 30:5716-5725. [PMID: 24669885 DOI: 10.1021/la500555w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Semiconductor nanostructures are attractive for designing low-cost solar cells with tunable photoresponse. The recent advances in size- and shape-selective synthesis have enabled the design of quantum dot solar cells with photoconversion efficiencies greater than 5%. To make them competitive with other existing thin film or polycrystalline photovoltaic technologies, it is important to overcome kinetic barriers for charge transfer at semiconductor interfaces. This feature article focuses on the limitations imposed by slow hole transfer in improving solar cell performance and its role in the stability of metal chalcogenide solar cells. Strategies to improve the rate of hole transfer through surface-modified redox relays offer new opportunities to overcome the hole-transfer limitation. The mechanistic and kinetic aspects of hole transfer in quantum dot solar cells (QDSCs), nanowire solar cells (NWSCs), and extremely thin absorber (ETA) solar cells are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashant V Kamat
- Radiation Laboratory and Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
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46
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Zhao J, Zhang J, Wang W, Wang P, Li F, Ren D, Si H, Sun X, Ji F, Hao Y. Facile synthesis of CuInGaS2 quantum dot nanoparticles for bilayer-sensitized solar cells. Dalton Trans 2014; 43:16588-92. [DOI: 10.1039/c4dt02150a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
TiO2@CuIn0.7Ga0.3S2 QDs (2–5 nm) were firstly synthesised by a vacuum one-pot-nanocasting process without long-chain ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinjin Zhao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Shijiazhuang Tiedao University
- Shijiazhuang, China
- College of Physics Science and Technology
- Hebei University
| | - Jiangbin Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Shijiazhuang Tiedao University
- Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Wenna Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Shijiazhuang Tiedao University
- Shijiazhuang, China
- Yingli Energy (China) Co
- Ltd
| | - Peng Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Shijiazhuang Tiedao University
- Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Feng Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Shijiazhuang Tiedao University
- Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Deliang Ren
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Shijiazhuang Tiedao University
- Shijiazhuang, China
- College of Physics Science and Technology
- Hebei University
| | - Huanyan Si
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Shijiazhuang Tiedao University
- Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiuguo Sun
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Shijiazhuang Tiedao University
- Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Fengqiu Ji
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Shijiazhuang Tiedao University
- Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yanzhong Hao
- College of Science
- Hebei University of Science and Technology
- Shijiazhuang 050018, China
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