Double-Sided Transparent TiO2 Nanotube/ITO Electrodes for Efficient CdS/CuInS2 Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

In this paper, to improve the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) based on CdS-sensitized TiO2 nanotube (TNT) electrodes, two methods are employed on the basis of our previous work. First, by replacing the traditional single-sided working electrodes, double-sided transparent TNT/ITO (DTTO) electrodes are prepared to increase the loading amount of quantum dots (QDs) on the working electrodes. Second, to increase the light absorption of the CdS-sensitized DTTO electrodes and improve the efficiency of charge separation in CdS-sensitized QDSSCs, copper indium disulfide (CuInS2) is selected to cosensitize the DTTO electrodes with CdS, which has a complementary property of light absorption with CdS. The PCEs of QDSSCs based on these prepared QD-sensitized DTTO electrodes are measured. Our experimental results show that compared to those based on the CdS/DTTO electrodes without CuInS2, the PCEs of the QDSSCs based on CdS/CuInS2-sensitized DTTO electrode are significantly improved, which is mainly attributed to the increased light absorption and reduced charge recombination. Under simulated one-sun illumination, the best PCE of 1.42% is achieved for the QDSSCs based on CdS(10)/CuInS2/DTTO electrode, which is much higher than that (0.56%) of the QDSSCs based on CdS(10)/DTTO electrode.

Synthesis and Characterization of Co–ZnO and Evaluation of Its Photocatalytic Activity for Photodegradation of Methyl Orange

“…On the other hand, the photocatalytic activity of Co–ZnO decreased at higher pH due to electrostatic repulsion between the negatively charged catalyst and anionic methyl orange dyes. 72 …”

“…These two factors decrease the yield of exciton and OH radicals and ultimately cause a decreasing effect on photocatalytic activity at the higher concentration. 16 , 71 , 72 …”

Preciously Determining Energy Levels and Screening Extraction Medium to Design Highly Efficient Carriers Transport Pathways for Zn‐CuInS2 Quantum Dots Based H2 Generation Application

“…The maximum photocurrent density of CdS‐CIZS−Au‐TiO 2 is about 7.5 mA/cm 2 . Gratifyingly, present photocurrent response ability is comparable even superior to some CuInS 2 or CIZS‐based photoelectrodes . Figure D and E show the UV‐Vis‐NIR absorption spectra and corresponding absorption onset of these photoelectrodes .…”

Performance Enhancement of CdS/CdSe Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells with (001)-Oriented Anatase TiO2 Nanosheets Photoanode

“…Many kinds of narrow bandgap semiconductor QDs, such as CdS, CdSe, CdTe, and PbS, have been utilized as light absorbers in the visible light regime [6–10]. To extend the light absorption range and facilitate the carrier injection in QDSSCs, the QDs with appropriate energy level matching, such as CuInS 2 /CdS [11, 12], CdTe/CdSe [13], and CdS/CdSe [14–21], have been combined to form core/shell structure QD co-sensitizers. Among them, the CdS/CdSe core/shell structure QDs have been widely studied due to their relative stability and simple synthesis, and the resulting cells generally exhibited power conversion efficiencies of < 5%.…”