Mesoporous CdS spheres for high-performance hybrid solar cells

Mesoporous CdS spheres with large surface areas and ordered pore size distribution were synthesized through a facile solution processes. Their potential application in integrated hybrid (poly[2-methoxy-5-(20-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV)/CdS) photovoltaic cells has been demonstrated. The MEH-PPV–CdSMS electrode shows improved photoelectrochemical properties with the maximum conversion efficiency (Eff) of 2.39% with a short circuit current (J_sc) of −4.26 mA/cm², an open-circuit voltage (V_oc) of 0.824 V, and a fill factor (FF) of 68.6%. The good performance, low cost and straightforward fabrication method made the mesoporous CdS materials promising for the development of effective photoelectrochemical cells and a powerful tool for a wide range of applications in modern photoelectronics.     

ZnO nanosheet arrays constructed on weaved titanium wire for CdS-sensitized solar cells

Ordered ZnO nanosheet arrays were grown on weaved titanium wires by a low-temperature hydrothermal method. CdS nanoparticles were deposited onto the ZnO nanosheet arrays using the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method to make a photoanode. Nanoparticle-sensitized solar cells were assembled using these CdS/ZnO nanostructured photoanodes, and their photovoltaic performance was studied systematically. The best light-to-electricity conversion efficiency was obtained to be 2.17% under 100 mW/cm² illumination, and a remarkable short-circuit photocurrent density of approximately 20.1 mA/cm² was recorded, which could attribute to the relatively direct pathways for transportation of electrons provided by ZnO nanosheet arrays as well as the direct contact between ZnO and weaved titanium wires. These results indicate that CdS/ZnO nanostructures on weaved titanium wires would open a novel possibility for applications of low-cost solar cells.     

核壳结构半导体纳米晶体CdS/ZnS的制备及其光学性质

通过反胶束法成功制备了CdS及CdS/ZnS核壳结构量子点,采用紫外-可见吸收光谱(UV-Vis)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、能量色散型X射线能谱(EDX)以及荧光光谱(PL)等对其结构和性能进行了研究。与CdS量子点相比,CdS/ZnS量子点的粒径明显变大,本文估算了粒子的粒径,TEM图像很好的印证了估算的结果;结合EDX的测试结果可以推断CdS/ZnS量子点的结构是ZnS包裹在CdS表面的核壳结构;CdS/ZnS量子点的荧光强度与CdS量子点相比有了明显的提高,原因主要是壳层的ZnS消除了CdS量子点表面上存在的无辐射复合中心。     

Electrodeposited vertically aligned ZnO nanorods thin films on steel substrate for CdS quantum dots sensitized solar cell

In the present study, we report the optimization of various deposition parameters viz. bath temperature, deposition time and current density to deposit densely packed and vertically aligned ZnO nanorod thin films on cost effective substrate, i.e. steel, by electrodeposition technique. The obtained vertically aligned ZnO nanorod thin films are sensitized by CdS quantum dots (QDs) and utilized for photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell application. Effect of redox electrolyte on the PEC cell properties of CdS QDs sensitized ZnO nanorod thin films is investigated using two different electrolytes viz. polysulfide and ferro(i)cyanide.¹ CdS QDs, of around 10 nm in diameter, are synthesized by chemical bath deposition (CBD) method. The deposited ZnO nanorods having diameter in the range 100–120 nm showed hydrophobic nature, which changed to hydrophilic after CdS QDs sensitization. The maximum short circuit current density (J_sc) and open circuit voltage (V_oc) are observed for ferro(i)cyanide electrolyte and are found to be 680 μA cm⁻² and 520 mV, respectively, under 10 mW cm⁻² of illumination. However, better photoelectrode stability is observed for polysulfide electrolyte.     

CdS quantum dot-sensitized solar cells based on nano-branched TiO2 arrays

Nano-branched rutile TiO₂ nanorod arrays were grown on F:SnO₂ conductive glass (FTO) by a facile, two-step wet chemical synthesis process at low temperature. The length of the nanobranches was tailored by controlling the growth time, after which CdS quantum dots were deposited on the nano-branched TiO₂ arrays using the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method to make a photoanode for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs). The photovoltaic properties of the CdS-sensitized nano-branched TiO₂ solar cells were studied systematically. A short-circuit current intensity of approximately 7 mA/cm² and a light-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 0.95% were recorded for cells based on optimized nano-branched TiO₂ arrays, indicating an increase of 138% compared to those based on unbranched TiO₂ nanorod arrays. The improved performance is attributed to a markedly enlarged surface area provided by the nanobranches and better electron conductivity in the one-dimensional, well-aligned TiO₂ nanorod trunks.     

Self-assembled CdS quantum dots-sensitized TiO2 nanospheroidal solar cells: Structural and charge transport analysis

A nanospheroidal TiO₂ mesoporous layer combined with cadmium sulfide (CdS) quantum dots (QDs) as a sensitizer was firstly utilized for solar cell applications, resulting in an efficiency of 1.2% at a 1 sun condition. CdS quantum dots (18 nm) were attached to the TiO₂ nanospheroidal electrode by using a chemical bath deposition technique. The influence of surface treatment using dimethyl formamide on the interconnectivity of the TiO₂ nanospheroidal electrodes was investigated. The charge transport of TiO₂/CdS QDs/electrolyte sandwich-type cells was characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and the device performance was compared with conventional nanospherical TiO₂ (Degauusa P25) electrodes. The electrodes with nanospheroidal morphology showed better device performance than the P25 nanoparticle electrodes primarily due to both better connectivity among nanospheroidal TiO₂ particles and larger mesopores, resulting in deeper penetration of the electrolyte in QD-sensitized solar cells.     

Electrodeposition of ZnO nanoflake-based photoanode sensitized by carbon quantum dots for photoelectrochemical water oxidation

We report a promising simple strategy for improving the performance of the photoanode for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation. Three-dimentional hierarchical ZnO nanoflake arrays with abundant porosity and small thickness on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass substrate (FTO) was prepared with electrodeposition. The ZnO nanoflake-based photoanode exhibits superior photoresponse and PEC capability. Furthermore, the ZnO photoanode sensitized by carbon quantum dots (CQDs) can further PEC performance due to the narrower bandgap of CQDs and the improved efficiency of photogenerated electrons transfer from CQDs to ZnO nanostructures. The morphology and properties of the sample were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cross-section SEM, UV–vis spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), FT-IR, X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and electrical measurements.     

Tuning of defects in ZnO nanorod arrays used in bulk heterojunction solar cells

With particular focus on bulk heterojunction solar cells incorporating ZnO nanorods, we study how different annealing environments (air or Zn environment) and temperatures impact on the photoluminescence response. Our work gives new insight into the complex defect landscape in ZnO, and it also shows how the different defect types can be manipulated. We have determined the emission wavelengths for the two main defects which make up the visible band, the oxygen vacancy emission wavelength at approximately 530 nm and the zinc vacancy emission wavelength at approximately 630 nm. The precise nature of the defect landscape in the bulk of the nanorods is found to be unimportant to photovoltaic cell performance although the surface structure is more critical. Annealing of the nanorods is optimum at 300°C as this is a sufficiently high temperature to decompose Zn(OH)₂ formed at the surface of the nanorods during electrodeposition and sufficiently low to prevent ITO degradation.     

Efficient PbS/CdS co-sensitized solar cells based on TiO2 nanorod arrays

Narrow bandgap PbS nanoparticles, which may expand the light absorption range to the near-infrared region, were deposited on TiO₂ nanorod arrays by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method to make a photoanode for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs). The thicknesses of PbS nanoparticles were optimized to enhance the photovoltaic performance of PbS QDSCs. A uniform CdS layer was directly coated on previously grown PbS-TiO₂ photoanode to protect the PbS from the chemical attack of polysulfide electrolytes. A remarkable short-circuit photocurrent density (approximately 10.4 mA/cm²) for PbS/CdS co-sensitized solar cell was recorded while the photocurrent density of only PbS-sensitized solar cells was lower than 3 mA/cm². The power conversion efficiency of the PbS/CdS co-sensitized solar cell reached 1.3%, which was beyond the arithmetic addition of the efficiencies of single constituents (PbS and CdS). These results indicate that the synergistic combination of PbS with CdS may provide a stable and effective sensitizer for practical solar cell applications.     

Effect of CdSe quantum dots on the performance of hybrid solar cells based on ZnO nanorod arrays

This paper reports the fabrication and interface modification of hybrid inverted solar cells based on ZnO nanorod arrays and poly (3-hexylthiophene). CdSe quantum dots (QDs) are grafted to the ZnO nanorod array successfully by bifunctional molecule mercaptopropionic acid to enhance the device performance. The power conversion efficiency of the device is increased by 109% from 0.11% to 0.23% under simulated 1 sun AM 1.5 solar illumination at 100 mW/cm² after the modification. The grafting of CdSe QDs effectively enhanced the excition generation and dissociation on the organic/inorganic interface. This work may provide a general method for increasing the efficiency of organic–inorganic hybrid solar cells by interface modification.     

Micron-sized silica mesh for enhancing the performance of quantum dot sensitized solar cells

Three dimensional silica mesh structures are prepared through a new and simple method for enhancing the quantum dot sensitized solar cells performance and stability.Silica patterns are made on the top of the TiO₂ photoanodes and a marked improvement in light scattering properties of meshed structures is confirmed by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy measurements. This improvement enhances the current density and consequently the cells ‘efficiency. Parameters of electron transport in cells are explored by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). According to the EIS results, silica mesh declines the recombination rate in cells in a clear way. Here more than 50% efficiency improvement is obtained in meshed structures in comparison to cells with normal TiO₂ photoanode structures. The insulated silica mesh, reduces the electrolyte's deleterious effect on the semiconductor layers and the cells’ stability is improved.     

Influence of seed layer treatment on low temperature grown ZnO nanotubes: Performances in dye sensitized solar cells

Non-aligned and highly densely aligned ZnO nanotube (NTs), synthesized by low temperature solution method were applied as photoanode materials for the fabrication of efficient dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The crystalline and the morphological analysis revealed that the grown aligned ZnO NTs possessed a typical hexagonal crystal structure of outer and inner diameter ∼250 nm and ∼100 nm, respectively. ZnO seeding on FTO substrates is an essential step to achieve the aligned ZnO NTs. A DSSC fabricated with aligned ZnO NTs photoanode achieved high solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency of ∼2.2% with short circuit current (J_SC) of 5.5 mA/cm², open circuit voltage (V_OC) of 0.65 V and fill factor (FF) of 0.61. Significantly, the aligned ZnO NTs photoanode showed three times improved solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency than DSSC fabricated with non-aligned ZnO NTs. The enhanced performances were credited to the aligned morphology of ZnO NTs which executed the high charge collection and the transfer of electrons at the interfaces of ZnO NTs and electrolyte layer.     

Synthesis,characterization and simulation of lithium titanate nanotubes for dye sensitized solar cells

In this work we present the comprehensive design of lithium titanate nanotubes (LiTNT) as semiconductors for DSSC photoanodes. The synthesis and characterization of Li_1.82Na_0.18Ti₃O₇.nH₂O nanotubes was performed and a prototype of cell using this material was assembled. The cell exhibited a 7.7% efficiency and a relatively high open circuit voltage, Voc?=?0.72?V. In comparison with previously obtained hydrogen titanate nanotubes (HTNT), improvements have been achieved, like better charge carriers’ lifetime and lower series resistance. In order to study this system, we carried out previous DFT simulations for this lithium titanate nanotubes through different model's complexity levels which were able to correctly predict its properties. Due to the improvements achieved this system would encourage further studies with the aim to explore its potential for solar cells applications.     

Graphene quantum dots doping SnO2 for improving carrier transport of perovskite solar cells

SnO₂ is recognized as an excellent electron transport layer. However, it does not possess the optimal morphology required by perovskite photovoltaic devices, and the conduction band of SnO₂ cannot match well with perovskite conduction bands. In the present study, we introduced graphene quantum dots (GQDs) into SnO₂. The results show that the introduction of graphene quantum dots effectively improved the morphology of the SnO₂ film, reduced the roughness of the surface, and increased the ohmic contact between the SnO₂ and perovskite layer. In addition, the conductivity of the SnO₂ film was improved, thereby facilitating the transfer of electrons. The optimized SnO₂: GQDs layer reduced the density of defect state, suppressed the pinholes appearance to a certain extent, and facilitated the extraction of electrons, thereby ultimately improving the FF, and increasing the efficiency of the perovskite photovoltaic device.     

Growth of three-dimensional ZnO nanorods by electrochemical method for quantum dots-sensitized solar cells

There-dimensional (3D) superstructure was expected to fabricate high performance photoelectrodes of quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs). In this paper, the ZnO 3D superstructure with multi-layer structure (3D ZnO nanorods) was grown on ITO glass by a novel electrochemical method at low temperature (60–90 °C). The 3D ZnO nanorods were composed of close-packed ZnO nanorod bundles with wide dimension distribution ranging from hundreds of nanometers to several micrometers. The effects of some important parameters, such as concentration of Zn(NO₃)₂, deposition temperature and concentration of ZnO nanoparticles (served as growth seeds for ZnO nanorods), on the morphology of 3D ZnO nanorods were also studied by scanning electron microscopy. Once being applied in QDSCs, the 3D ZnO nanorods showed more superior photoelectrochemical performance to ZnO nanorod array. The conversion efficiency of 1.42% achieved by the QDSC based on 3D ZnO nanorods was a very promising value for the QDSCs based on ZnO electrodes.     

BRCAA1 antibody- and Her2 antibody-conjugated amphiphilic polymer engineered CdSe/ZnS quantum dots for targeted imaging of gastric cancer

Successful development of safe and highly effective nanoprobes for targeted imaging of in vivo early gastric cancer is a great challenge. Herein, we choose the CdSe/ZnS (core-shell) quantum dots (QDs) as prototypical materials, synthesized one kind of a new amphiphilic polymer including dentate-like alkyl chains and multiple carboxyl groups, and then used the prepared amphiphilic polymer to modify QDs. The resultant amphiphilic polymer engineered QDs (PQDs) were conjugated with BRCAA1 and Her2 monoclonal antibody, and prepared BRCAA1 antibody- and Her2 antibody-conjugated QDs were used for in vitro MGC803 cell labeling and in vivo targeted imaging of gastric cancer cells. Results showed that the PQDs exhibited good water solubility, strong photoluminescence (PL) intensity, and good biocompatibility. BRCAA1 antibody- and Her2 antibody-conjugated QD nanoprobes successfully realized targeted imaging of in vivo gastric cancer MGC803 cells. In conclusion, BRCAA1 antibody- and Her2 antibody-conjugated PQDs have great potential in applications such as single cell labeling and in vivo tracking, and targeted imaging and therapeutic effects'' evaluation of in vivo early gastric cancer cells in the near future.     

Improving the efficiency of ITO/nc-TiO2/CdS/P3HT:PCBM/PEDOT:PSS/Ag inverted solar cells by sensitizing TiO2 nanocrystalline film with chemical bath-deposited CdS quantum dots

An improvement in the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the inverted organic solar cell (ITO/nc-TiO₂/P3HT:PCBM/PEDOT:PSS/Ag) is realized by depositing CdS quantum dots (QDs) on a nanocrystalline TiO₂ (nc-TiO₂) film as a light absorption material and an electron-selective material. The CdS QDs were deposited via a chemical bath deposition (CBD) method. Our results show that the best PCE of 3.37% for the ITO/nc-TiO₂/CdS/P3HT:PCBM/PEDOT:PSS/Ag cell is about 1.13 times that (2.98%) of the cell without CdS QDs (i.e., ITO/nc-TiO₂/P3HT:PCBM/PEDOT:PSS/Ag). The improved PCE can be mainly attributed to the increased light absorption and the reduced recombination of charge carriers from the TiO₂ to the P3HT:PCBM film due to the introduced CdS QDs.     

Open structure ZnO/CdSe core/shell nanoneedle arrays for solar cells

Open structure ZnO/CdSe core/shell nanoneedle arrays were prepared on a conducting glass (SnO₂:F) substrate by solution deposition and electrochemical techniques. A uniform CdSe shell layer with a grain size of approximately several tens of nanometers was formed on the surface of ZnO nanoneedle cores after annealing at 400°C for 1.5 h. Fabricated solar cells based on these nanostructures exhibited a high short-circuit current density of about 10.5 mA/cm² and an overall power conversion efficiency of 1.07% with solar illumination of 100 mW/cm². Incident photo-to-current conversion efficiencies higher than 75% were also obtained.     

Synthesis of MDMO-PPV capped PbS quantum dots and their application to solar cells

Poly[2-methoxy-5-(3′,7′-dimethyloctyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MDMO-PPV) capped PbS quantum dots about 3-6 nm in diameter were synthesized with a novel method. Unlike the synthesis of oleic acid capped PbS quantum dots, the reactions were carried out in solution at room temperature, with the presence of a capping ligand species, MDMO-PPV. The quantum dots were used to fabricate bulk heterojunction solar cells with an indium tin oxide (ITO)/polyethylenedioxythiophene/polystyrenesulphonate (PEDOT: PSS)/MDMO-PPV: PbS/Al structure. Current density-voltage characterization of the devices showed that after the addition of the MDMO-PPV capped PbS quantum dots to MDMO-PPV film, the performance was dramatically improved compared with pristine MDMO-PPV solar cells.