Issue 4, 2015

CuInSe2 and CuInSe2–ZnS based high efficiency “green” quantum dot sensitized solar cells

Abstract

CuInSe2 (CISe) based quantum dots (QDs), are perceived to be promising alternatives to those of cadmium or lead chalcogenide based QDs in serving as light-harvesting sensitizer materials in quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSCs) due to their near-infrared (NIR) absorbing capacity and low toxicity. Herein, we have synthesized high quality CISe QDs via the organic phase high temperature route, and then alloying with ZnS to form the CISe–ZnS QDs with higher chemical stability and superior optoelectronic properties. The obtained “green” CISe and CISe–ZnS QD sensitizers were immobilized onto TiO2 film electrodes with high loading amount through the linker molecule assisted post synthesis assembly approach with the use of MPA-capped water-soluble QDs. Hindered charge recombination in the built CISe–ZnS QD based solar cells in comparison with reference CISe cells has been confirmed by impedance spectroscopy, as well as transient photovoltage decay measurements. With the combination of high QD loading and passivated trap-state defects, the resulting regenerative sandwich CISe–ZnS QD based champion solar cells exhibited an efficiency of 6.79% (Jsc = 22.61 mA cm−2, Voc = 0.583 V, FF = 0.515) under AM 1.5 G full one sun irradiation. The obtained efficiency was among the best performances for liquid-junction QDSCs and also demonstrated comparable photovoltaic performance of “green” CISe based QDs to the toxic cadmium and lead chalcogenide QDs.

Graphical abstract: CuInSe2 and CuInSe2–ZnS based high efficiency “green” quantum dot sensitized solar cells

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
27 9 2014
Accepted
19 11 2014
First published
19 11 2014

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2015,3, 1649-1655

Author version available

CuInSe2 and CuInSe2–ZnS based high efficiency “green” quantum dot sensitized solar cells

W. Li, Z. Pan and X. Zhong, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2015, 3, 1649 DOI: 10.1039/C4TA05134C

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements