Microwave assisted CdSe quantum dot deposition on TiO2 films for dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

CdSe quantum dot (QD ) sensitized TiO₂ films have been fabricated using a one-step microwave assisted chemical bath deposition (MACBD) technique and used as photoanodes for quantum dot sensitized solar cells. This technique allows direct and rapid deposition and a good contact between the CdSe and TiO₂ films. The photovoltaic performances of the cells with CdSe deposited at different times are investigated. The results show that cells based on MACBD deposited TiO₂/CdSe electrodes achieve a maximum short circuit current density of 12.1 mA cm⁻² and a power conversion efficiency of 1.75% at one Sun (AM 1.5 G, 100 mW cm⁻²), which is comparable with those fabricated using conventional techniques.