Issue 42, 2016

CdTe based quantum dot sensitized solar cells with efficiency exceeding 7% fabricated from quantum dots prepared in aqueous media

Abstract

CdTe quantum dots (QDs) with a narrow band gap and high conduction band (CB) edge provide great potential for the fabrication of QD sensitized solar cells (QDSCs). Herein, a convenient aqueous route was adopted to synthesize CdTe core QDs for the construction of type-II core/shell QD sensitizers. First, mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) capped water-soluble CdTe QDs were synthesized in aqueous media. After tethering the CdTe QDs onto a mesoporous TiO2 photoanode, CdTe/CdS and CdTe/CdSexS1−x type-II core/shell QD sensitizers were formed by post-depositing CdS and CdSexS1−x shell materials over the photoanodes via a successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction processes (SILAR), respectively. A wider light harvesting range together with a wider photoelectronic response range was observed in the resultant CdTe/CdS and CdTe/CdSexS1−x core/shell QD based solar cells relative to plain CdTe cells. Simultaneously, suppressed charge recombination processes has also been confirmed by impedance spectroscopy (IS), and open-circuit voltage decay (OCVD) characterizations. Consequently, compared to the plain CdTe QDSCs, the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) for CdTe/CdS and CdTe/CdSeS were enhanced by 22 and 35%, respectively. With the optimization of CdSexS1−x shell thickness, a PCE of 7.24% under the illumination of one full sun was obtained.

Graphical abstract: CdTe based quantum dot sensitized solar cells with efficiency exceeding 7% fabricated from quantum dots prepared in aqueous media

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
28 Aug 2016
Accepted
23 Sep 2016
First published
23 Sep 2016

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2016,4, 16553-16561

CdTe based quantum dot sensitized solar cells with efficiency exceeding 7% fabricated from quantum dots prepared in aqueous media

J. Yang and X. Zhong, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2016, 4, 16553 DOI: 10.1039/C6TA07399A

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