Double-sided transparent electrodes of TiO2 nanotube arrays for highly efficient CdS quantum dot-sensitized photoelectrodes

A novel double-sided CdS quantum dots-sensitized TiO₂ nanotube (TNT)/ITO photoelectrode is fabricated to improve the energy conversion efficiencies of quantum dots-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs). Our experimental results show that the double-sided CdS quantum dots-sensitized TNT/ITO photoelectrodes show enhanced light absorption. As a consequence, the photoelectrochemical response of the CdS/TNT/ITO photoelectrode is much improved compared with single-sided CdS sensitized TNT arrays on Ti substrate (i.e., CdS/TNT/Ti photoelectrode). An optimum conversion efficiency of 7.5 % is achieved by the double-sided CdS(15)/TNT/ITO photoelectrode, which is an enhancement of about 120 % when compared with the single-sided CdS/TNT/Ti photoelectrode. Our results demonstrate that the energy conversion efficiencies of QDSCs can be improved by designing a new photoelectrode structure.     

Preparation and photo-induced charge transfer of the composites based on branched CdS nanocrystals and PCPDTBT

Rich branched CdS nanocrystals were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal treatment from Cd(NO₃)₂, thiourea and hexamethylenetetramine [(CH₂)₆N₄, HMT], where HMT acted as a capping agent. The morphology, structure and phase composition of CdS nanostructures were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and high-resolution TEM. The composites based on CdS nanocrystals and Poly[2,6-(4,4-bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-4H-cyclopenta [2,1-b:3,4-b’]dithiophene-alt-4,7-(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)] (PCPDTBT) have been prepared by mixing of the two components in chloroform. The optical properties of the composites are investigated using ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopies. A significant fluorescence quenching of PCPDTBT in the composites is observed at high CdS nanocrystals/PCPDTBT ratios, indicating that the photo-induced charge transfer occurred due to the energy level offset between the donor PCPDTBT and the acceptor CdS nanocrystals.     

Synthesis and characterization of new dithienosilole-based copolymers for polymer solar cells

A series of dithienosilole-based copolymers, poly [(4,4'-bis(2-hexyl)dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]silole)-2,6-diyl-alt-(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)-5,5'-diyl] (P1), poly[(4,4'-bis(2-hexyl)dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]silole)-2,6-diyl-alt-(2,2'-bithiazole)-5,5'-diyl] (P2), poly[(4,4'-bis(2-hexyl)dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]silole)-2, 6-diyl-alt-(10 -methyl-phenothiazine)-3,7-diyl](P3), poly[(4,4'-bis(2-hexyl)dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]silole)-2,6-diyl-alt-(4,7-bis(2-thienyl)-9,10-anthracene)-5,5'-diyl] (P4) were synthesized by the Pd-catalyzed Stille polymerization method. Electron-deficient benzothiadiazole and bithiazole units and electron-rich phenothiazine and anthracene moieties were incorporated into the polymer backbone to obtain the broad absorption spectrum and to improve the hole-transporting characteristics, respectively. The polymer solar cell (PSC) was fabricated with a layered structure of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/polymer:C71-PCBM (1:3)/LiF/Al. The best performance of PSC was obtained at P3:C71-PCBM which reaches a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 1.18%, with a short circuit current density (J(sc)) of 4.75 mA/cm2, an open circuit voltage (V(oc)) of 0.71 V, and a fill factor (FF) of 0.35 under AM 1.5G irradiation (100 mW/cm2).     

Preparation and photovoltaic properties of the composite based on porous In2S3 films and PCPDTBT

Large-scale porous indium sulfide (In₂S₃) films were synthesized via a facile one-step non-template hydrothermal process. A low band gap polymer, namely Poly[4,4 -bis(2-ethylhexyl)cyclopenta[2,1-b:3,4-b′]dithiophene-2,6-diyl-alt-2,1,3-benzothiadia zole-4,7-diyl](PCPDTBT) was synthesized by the Stille coupling reaction. A preliminary photovoltaic performance measurement of the fabricated device based on the as-prepared In₂S₃ porous film and PCPDTBT(ITO/In₂S₃ porous film/PCPDTBT/Au) shows a power conversion efficiency of 0.12 % under an illumination of 100 mW/cm^?2.     

Novel hybrid solar cells based on α-copper phthalocyanine–cadmium sulfide planar heterojunction

Cadmium sulfide (CdS) has been employed as an alternative acceptor for planar heterojunction solar cell based on copper phthalocyanine (CuPc). Spin-coated poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene:polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) on indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass substrates was used for the vacuum deposition of CuPc and CdS planar heterojunction. In the present study, we have fabricated two different architectures of CuPc/CdS devices: (1) ITO/PEDOT:PSS/CuPc/CdS/Al and (2) ITO/PEDOT:PSS/CuPc/CdS/LiF/Al. Our results indicate that the CdS could effectively facilitate charge transport in the nanostructured network, and be a good acceptor. The fabricated bare CuPc/CdS device shows 0.13 % conversion efficiency while incorporation of LiF layer between CuPc/CdS and Al contact facilitates low-recombination rate results ~43 % enhancement in efficiency. The ITO/PEDOT:PSS/CuPc/CdS/LiF/Al device shows 0.30 % power conversion efficiency.     

Disposable biosensor based on Au nanoparticles-modified CdS nanorod arrays for detection cytochrome c

A novel disposable biosensor is developed based on gold nanoparticles modified CdS nanorod arrays. The ordered CdS nanorod arrays firstly have been synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method. Then, the CdS nanorod arrays are modified by gold nanoparticles, which are directly fabricated into an electrode for detection of cytochrome c (Cyc) in solution without any pretreatment. The modified CdS nanorod arrays biosensor with the immense surface area and high electrical conductivity shows a good sensitivity and linear range. This method may be used to construct other electrochemical biosensors using aligned nanorod/nanowire films.     

Photoluminescence properties of single crystalline ZnO/CdS core/shell one-dimensional nanostructures

ZnO/CdS core/shell one-dimensional nanostructures were synthesized using ZnO nanorod arrays as templates, which were fabricated by a vapor transport process. CdS shells with various thicknesses were epitaxially grown on the ZnO nanorod arrays by metal organic chemical vapor deposition. Selected area electron diffraction measurement revealed that both ZnO cores and CdS shells were single crystalline growing along the c-axis. The photoluminescence properties of the ZnO/CdS core/shell nanostructures were also varied with different CdS shell thicknesses. A carrier transition process from ZnO to CdS was assumed to induce the enhancement of CdS photoluminescence.     

功能化三联吡啶钌配合物的电化学聚合及其电致变色性质

合成了4-[对-(N-正丁基-N-苯基)苯胺基]-2,2′∶6′,2″-三联吡啶钌配合物{[Ru(L)2](PF6)2},利用电化学沉积法在0.1mol/L Bu4NClO4/CH3CN溶液中制备了导电聚[Ru(L)2]2+膜,并用SEM表征了膜的形貌。交流阻抗谱研究表明,聚合物膜的厚度随扫描圈数的增加而增大,光谱电化学方法研究表明聚[Ru(L)2]2+膜处于中性态是红色而在完全氧化态则几乎无色。研究了聚合物膜的电致变色性质,表明聚[Ru(L)2]2+膜是一种具有潜在应用价值的电致变色材料。     

Indium tin oxide nanopillar electrodes in polymer/fullerene solar cells

Using high surface area nanostructured electrodes in organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices is a route to enhanced power conversion efficiency. In this paper, indium tin oxide (ITO) and hybrid ITO/SiO(2) nanopillars are employed as three-dimensional high surface area transparent electrodes in OPVs. The nanopillar arrays are fabricated via glancing angle deposition (GLAD) and electrochemically modified with nanofibrous PEDOT:PSS (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(p-styrenesulfonate)). The structures are found to have increased surface area as characterized by porosimetry. When applied as anodes in polymer/fullerene OPVs (architecture: commercial ITO/GLAD ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT:PCBM/Al, where P3HT is 2,5-diyl-poly(3-hexylthiophene) and PCBM is [6,6]-phenyl-C(61)-butyric acid methyl ester), the air-processed solar cells incorporating high surface area, PEDOT:PSS-modified ITO nanoelectrode arrays operate with improved performance relative to devices processed identically on unstructured, commercial ITO substrates. The resulting power conversion efficiency is 2.2% which is a third greater than for devices prepared on commercial ITO. To further refine the structure, insulating SiO(2) caps are added above the GLAD ITO nanopillars to produce a hybrid ITO/SiO(2) nanoelectrode. OPV devices based on this system show reduced electrical shorting and series resistance, and as a consequence, a further improved power conversion efficiency of 2.5% is recorded.     

A three-dimensional electrode for photoelectrochemical cell: TiO2 coated ITO mesoporous film

In this letter, TiO₂ coated ITO mesoporous film was prepared by dipping doctor-blade ITO mesoporous film in TiO₂ sol, followed by sintering at 500 °C for 30 min. The CdS quantum dots (QDs) were deposited on TiO₂ coated ITO mesoporous film using sequential chemical bath deposition (S-CBD) method to form a three-dimensional (3D) electrode. The photo-activity of ITO mesoporous film/TiO₂/CdS electrode was investigated by forming a photoelectrochemical cell, which indicated that the ITO mesoporous film/TiO₂/CdS electrode was efficient in photoelectrochemical cell as a working electrode. The 3D electrode showed lower performance than the conventional electrode of TiO₂ mesoporous film/CdS, and more works are needed to improve the performance of 3D electrode.     

Vertically aligned cadmium chalcogenide nanowire arrays on muscovite mica: a demonstration of epitaxial growth strategy

We report a strategy for achieving epitaxial, vertically aligned cadmium chalcogenide (CdS, CdSe, and CdTe) nanowire arrays utilizing van der Waals epitaxy with (001) muscovite mica substrate. The nanowires, grown from a vapor transport process, exhibited diameter uniformity throughout their length, sharp interface to the substrate, and positive correlation between diameter and length with preferential growth direction of [0001] for the monocrystalline wurtzite CdS and CdSe nanowires, but of [111] for zinc blende CdTe nanowires, which also featured abundant twinning boundaries. Self-catalytic vapor-liquid-solid mechanism with hydrogen-assisted thermal evaporation is proposed to intepret the observations. Optical absorption from the as-grown CdSe nanowire arrays on mica at 10 K revealed intense first-order exciton absorption and its longitudinal optical phonon replica. A small Stokes shift (～1.3 meV) was identified, suggesting the high quality of the nanowires. This study demonstrated the generality of van der Waals epitaxy for the growth of nanowire arrays and their potential applications in optical and energy related devices.     

Performance evaluation of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on metal-free thieno[3,2-b]indole dyes

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - A series of thieno[3,2-b]indole-based dyes (IS 1–10) was readily synthesized in three steps from 2-(thien-2-yl)thieno[3,2-b]indole as...     

Formation and properties of cadmium sulfide buffer layer for CIGS solar cells grown using hot plate bath deposition

In the present study, cadmium sulfide (CdS) thin films were deposited on different substrates [soda glass, fluoride doped tin oxide, and tin doped indium oxide (ITO) coated glass] by a hot plate method. To control the thickness and the reproducibility of the sample production, the thin films were coated at different temperatures and deposition times. The CdS thin films were heated at 400 °C in air and forming gas (FG) atmosphere to investigate the effect of the annealing temperatures. The thickness of the samples, measured by ellipsometry, could be controlled by the deposition time and temperature of the hot plate. The phase formation and structural properties of CdS thin films were studied by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, whereas the optical properties were obtained by UV–vis spectroscopy. A hexagonal crystal structure was observed for CdS thin films and the crystallinity improved upon annealing. The structural and optical properties of CdS thin films were also enhanced by annealing at 400 °C in FG atmosphere (95 % N₂, 5 % H₂). The optical band gap was changed from 2.25 to 2.40 eV at different annealing temperatures and gas atmospheres. A higher electrical conductivity, for the sample annealed at FG, was noticed. The samples deposited on ITO and annealed in FG atmosphere showed the best structural and electrical properties compared to the other samples. CdS thin films can be widely used for application as a buffer layer for copper–indium–gallium–selenide solar cells.     

Synthesis and photovoltaic properties of new conjugated polymers based on benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene

New conjugated polymers based on benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene, poly(benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b'] dithiophene-alt-bithiophene) (PBT-2T) and poly(benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene-alt-terthiophene) (PBT-3T), have been synthesized via the Stille coupling reaction and their optical and electrochemical properties were characterized by UV-vis, photoluminescence (PL) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements. Compared to PBT-2T, PBT-3T film showed clearly red-shifted UV-visible absorption and PL spectra with maxima at 511 and 653 nm, respectively. Especially, PBT-3T containing terthiophene showed very small optical band gap of 1.65 eV. The PBT-2T and PBT-3T showed the power conversion efficiencies of 0.25% and 0.34%, respectively, under AM 1.5 (100 m/cm2).     

Localized photovoltaic investigations on organic semiconductors and bulk heterojunction solar cells

Newly synthesized organic electronics materials are often available in submicrogram amounts only. Photoelectrochemical scanning droplet cell microscopy is a powerful method that allows a comprehensive characterisation of such small amounts including oxidation, reduction potentials, doping, determination of charge carriers, band gap, charge capacity, over-oxidation sensitivity and many more. Localized photoelectrochemical characterization of the poly[4,8-bis-substituted-benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b0]dithiophene-2,6-diyl-alt-4-substituted-thieno [3,4-b] thiophene-2,6-diyl] (PBDTTT-c) and PBDTTT-c:PCBM bulk heterojunction was performed using photoelectrochemical scanning droplet cell microscopy (PE-SDCM). The optical properties and the real and imaginary part of the dielectric function, of the polymer were determined using spectroscopic ellipsometry. The photoelectrochemical characterizations were performed in a three and two electrode configuration of PE-SDCM under laser and white light illumination. The effect of illumination was characterized using dark/illumination sequences. The stability of the photocurrent was studied using longer term (600 s) illumination. Finally the effect of cell configuration and illumination conditions on the photovoltage was studied.     

Controllable Synthesis of Well-aligned ZnO Nanorod Arrays on Varying Substrates via Rapid Electrodeposition

A facile and rapid electrodeposition route was developed to controllably synthesize well-aligned ZnO nanorod arrays on diverse substrates, such as seed-layer pre-formed, pristine indium tin oxide （ITO） and Si, using Zn（NO3）2·6H2O and hexamethylenetetramine （HMT） as the precursors. X-ray diffraction （XRD） and transmission electron microscopy （TEM） results indicated that seed-layer pre-modified of ZnO nanorod arrays （ZNRs） possessed single crystalline, a wurtzite crystal structure with preferential growth orientation along [0001] direction. The ZNRs on pre-modified ZnO seed-layer （ZSL） had diameters of 30-50 nm, and aligned vertically to the substrates. ZNRs on ZSL/ITO substrate exhibited a high transmittance （above 80%） in visible wavelength range and the red-shift of band gap energy. An electrochemical reaction model was proposed to explain the growth process of ZnO nanorods. Importantly, the rapid synthesis of ZNRs provided the feasibility of preparation of SERS （surface enhanced Raman scattering） nanocomposite within shorter time by a subsequent electrochemical etching.     

The catalyst-assisted synthesis of high quality CdS single-crystal nanowires through an epitaxy mechanism

High quality wurtzite CdS nanowires have been synthesized by thermal evaporation of CdS powder onto Si substrate in the presence of Au catalyst at 650 degrees C by using pure H2 as a carrier gas. The nanowires were 10 nm in diameter and a few tens of micrometers in length. XRD patterns demonstrated that as prepared CdS is a pure crystalline material. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy of the materials showed that all CdS nanowires grew along (0001). According to analysis of selective area electron diffraction patterns taken from the interface, we proposed that there is a kind of epitaxy relationship in the interface region between Au catalyst and CdS grown, i.e., (0001)CdS // (111)Au, and [1210]CdS // [011]Au.     

气-液反应反胶束法制备CdS纳米颗粒

用H₂S气体分别与反胶束中的CdCl₂水溶液和由EDTA络合的CdCl₂水溶液反应,制备了单分散程度较高的CdS纳米颗粒,在产物中还发现有少量三角形颗粒,并对其形成机理进行了初步探讨。     

Effect of cadmium sulphide quantum dot processing and post thermal annealing on P3HT/PCBM photovoltaic device

The present study demonstrates the effect on photovoltaic performance of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) on doping of cadmium sulphide (CdS) quantum dots (QDs). The P3HT/CdS nanocomposite shows a 10 nm blue shift in the UV-vis absorption relative to the pristine P3HT. The blue shift in the absorption of the P3HT/CdS nanocomposite can be assigned to the quantum confinement effect from the CdS nanoparticles. Significant PL quenching was observed for the nanocomposite films, attributed to additional decaying paths of the excited electrons through the CdS. Solar cell performance of pure P3HT and dispersed with CdS QDs have been studied in the device configuration viz indium tin oxide (ITO)/poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene)-poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)/P3HT:PCBM/Al and ITO/PEDOT:PSS/ P3HT:CdS:PCBM/Al, respectively. Incorporation of CdS QDs in the P3HT matrix results in the enhancement in the device efficiency (?) of the solar cell from 0.45 to 0.87%. Postproduction thermal annealing at 150 °C for 30 min improves device performance due to enhancement in the device parameters like FF, V_OC and improvement in contact between active layer and Al.     

Bis(2,2'-bipyridine)(5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-[1,10]phenanthroline)ruthenium: synthesis and electrochemical and electrochemiluminescence characterization

In this work, an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) reagent bis(2,2'-bipyridine)(5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-[1,10]phenanthroline)ruthenium complex (Ru-1) was synthesized, and its electrochemical and ECL properties were characterized. The synthesis of Ru-1 was confirmed by IR spectra, element analysis, and (1)H NMR spectra. For further study, its UV-vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectra were investigated. Ru-1 also exhibited quasi-reversible Ru (II)/Ru (III) redox waves in acetonitrile solution. The aqueous ECL behaviors of Ru-1 were also studied in the absence and in the presence of tripropylamine. The complex was fabricated on a gamma-(aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) pretreated indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate via aminolysis reaction between the 5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-[1,10]phenanthroline ligand and APTES. The resulting Ru-1 modified ITO substrate exhibited a broad absorption band in the visible region (350-600 nm) and its fluorescence emission spectrum was centered at 622 nm. The Ru-1 modified ITO electrode showed relative low ECL response. To improve the solid-state ECL response, a gold nanoparticles (GNP)/Ru-1 modified ITO electrode was constructed. The mixing of GNP and Ru-1 could produce the aggregates, which were further immobilized onto a 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxy-silane (3-MPTMS) pretreated ITO substrate via Au-S interactions to construct the GNP/Ru-1 modified electrode.