A novel strategy to design a multilayer functionalized Cu₂S thin film counter electrode with enhanced catalytic activity and stability for quantum dot sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Multilayer Cu2S/ITO/CuZnMo films are designed as CEs for QDSCs, having the merits of enhanced conductivity and stability, and high catalytic activity.

Effects of Low-Dimensional Cu2S Nanostructures on the Mechanical Properties of Sb2S3 Semiconducting Compounds

“…(Note: Cu 2 S refers to a representative stable composition among several phases that can be formed during synthesis. 19 ) The surface morphologies of the Cu 2 S powder and the atomic ratio of Cu and S are 1.96:1, which is almost the same as the stoichiometric ratio of It is known that when sulfur is added to a polysulfide solution, it dissolves the sulfur more quickly due to the stronger nucleophilic nature of the polysulfide ion. It also appears to be able to react more readily with sulfur to produce new sulfur-containing species.…”

“…They fabricated Cu nanowire-based polymer composite using PVP-capped Cu-nanowire (purchased) with acrylate monomer. During Cu-nanowire composite vulcanization process, the composite is immersed in Na 2 S solution to generate Cu 2 S. Wu et al fabricated Cu 2 S thin films as a counter electrode in quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells . They demonstrated synthesizing Cu 2 S structure by dropping polysulfide solution (sulfur + Na 2 S + KCl in DI water solution).…”

“…There are unknown peaks that could be attributed to impurities from the powder preparation process or nonstoichiometric Cu–S compounds. (Note: Cu 2 S refers to a representative stable composition among several phases that can be formed during synthesis Figure S2.…”

“…Cu 2 S is a p-type semiconductor with a chalcogenide structure and has an indirect band gap of 1.2 ev. Cu 2 S can be synthesized in various forms, such as plate, rod, tube, and sphere. − Currently, structures of zero-dimensional (0D) nanodot, ,, one-dimensional (1D) nanorod, − two-dimensional (2D) nanoflake, − and three-dimensional (3D) nanosphere are being studied, which still require sufficient research . In particular, two-dimensional Cu 2 S is known as a material having a unique characteristic with a negative Poisson’s ratio that expands out-of-plane with respect to in-plane tensile stress. − Materials with a negative Poisson’s ratio are known to have high shear modulus, compression resistance, crack resistance, energy absorption performance, etc., and are reported to appear in M 2 X-structured materials.…”

Recent Progresses in Quantum‐Dot‐Sensitized Solar Cells: The Role of Counter Electrodes

“…[39] Consequently, this electrolyte was replaced by polysulfide, which has good compatibility with most investigated QDs, leading to a considerable increase in the efficiency of such solar cells. [123] However, platinum CE when used together with this electrolyte has low catalytic activity, since sulfur ions are adsorbed on the CE surface, reducing the number of active sites. [124] From this scenario, researchers have been looking for alternatives CE for these solar cells.…”