A highly efficient (>6%) Cd_1−xMn_xSe quantum dot sensitized solar cell

Abstract

Quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSCs) have attracted considerable attention recently and become promising candidates for realizing a cost-effective solar cell. The design and synthesis of quantum dots (QDs) for achieving high photoelectric performance is an urgent need imposed on scientists. Here, we have succeeded in designing a QDSC with a high efficiency h of 6.33% based on Cd 0.8 Mn 0.2 Se quantum dots by facile chemical bath deposition (CBD). The effects of Mn 2+ ions on the physical, chemical, and photovoltaic properties of the QDSCs are investigated. The Mn 2+ ions doped into QDs can increase the light harvesting to produce more excitons. In addition, the Mn 2+ dopant also raises the conduction band of CdSe, accelerates the electron injection kinetics and reduces the charge recombination, improving the charge transfer and collection. The increase of the efficiencies of light-harvesting, charge-transfer and charge-collection results in the improvement of the quantum efficiency of the solar cells. The power conversion efficiency of the solar cell is increased to 6.33% (V oc ¼ 0.58 V, J sc ¼ 19.15 mA cm À2 , and FF ¼ 0.57).

Electrodeposited cobalt-copper sulfide counter electrodes for highly efficient quantum dot sensitized solar cells

“…This could in principle, lead to the construction of single junction QDSSCs devices, which surpass the Shockley-Queisser 33% limit in the efficiency [3]. After several years of research, the power conversion efficiency of quantum dot sensitized solar cells has been improved to 4-6% [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] while higher values (5-7%) were obtained with cells based on colloidal systems [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23], with the record of 9.28% [24]. However, besides important progress in QDSSCs, significant problems remain unsolved including relatively low open circuit potential (Voc) and fill factor (FF) values.…”

Controlled growth of Cu3Se2 nanosheets array counter electrode for quantum dots sensitized solar cell through ion exchange

“…This process was repeated twice. The polysulfide electrolyte was prepared as reported in our previous publication [30].…”

QUANTUM DOTS SOLAR CELLS BASED-ON Pt, CuS, Cu2S, PbS COUNTER ELECTRODES

“…Brass foil was immersed into 37 % HCl at 70 °C for 5 min, then rinsed with water and dried in air. After that, the etched brass foil was dipped into 1 mol/L S and 1 mol/L Na 2 S aqueous solution, resulting in a black Cu 2 S layer forming on the foil [15].…”