Graphene Quantum Dots/CdS/CdSe Co-Sensitized Solar Cells

doi:10.15541/jim20160698

Abstract

Abstract:

Using three-dimensional anatase TiO₂ microspheres as light scattering overlayer and commercial TiO₂nanocrystalline as connecting underlayer, novel double-layered TiO₂ films were prepared by a doctor blade method for quantum dots sensitized solar cell (QDSSC) application. The graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were introduced by dripping, and the CdS/CdSe quantum dots were deposited by continuous ion-layer adsorption (SILAR) method, respectively. The prepared quantum dots sensitized thin films were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron miscroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Uv-vis diffuse reflectance spectra, and fluorescence spectra. CdS/CdSe quantum dots sensitized and GQDs/CdS/CdSe co-sensitized solar cells were fabricated, respectively. And the effects of GQDs and CdS quantum dots with different deposition cycles on the microstructures and the photovoltaic performance of the double-layered TiO₂QDSSCs were investigated and discussed. The results revealed that the introduced GQDs and the CdS deposition cycle obviously influenced the optical properties of the double-layered TiO₂ film. The electron transfer and charge-recombination process are also affected by the CdS deposition cycle and the introduced GQDs. Optimally, the conversion efficiency and photocurrent density of the TiO₂/QGDs/CdS(4)/CdSe solar cell is 1.24% and 9.47 mA/cm², respectively, which are higher than those (0.59% and 6.22 mA/cm², respectively) of the TiO₂/CdS(4)/CdSe cell. This is due to the effective electrons transport and reduced charge recombination within the co-sensitized cell.

Key words: graphene quantum dots (GQDs), CdS/CdSe quantum dots, TiO₂ microspheres, co-sensitized solar cells

CLC Number:

O643

LIU Yong-Qiang, HUANG Hao, ZHAI Jin-Sheng, MA Meng-Jun, FAN Jia-Jie. Graphene Quantum Dots/CdS/CdSe Co-Sensitized Solar Cells[J]. Journal of Inorganic Materials, 2017, 32(10): 1042-1048.

Figures/Tables 11

Fig. 1 SEM images of TiO2 microspheres (a), surface (b), cross-section (c), and EDX pattern (d) of TiO2 film sensitized by CdS/CdSe QDs in (c)

Fig. 2 TEM images of TiO2 microspheres before (a) and after (b) being CdS/CdSe co-sensitized, and HRTEM image of QDs deposited on TiO2 film (c)

Fig. 3 XRD patterns of FTO substrate (a), FTO/TiO2 (b), and FTO/TiO2/CdS(4)/CdSe (c) films

Fig. 4 UV-Vis absorption spectra of TiO2 films sensitized by various QDs

Fig. 5 Band gap diagram of TiO2 before and after quantum dot sensitization

Fig. 6 PL spectra of TiO2 films sensitized by various GQDs

Fig. 7 PL spectra of TiO2 films sensitized by various QDs

Fig. 8 Comparison of the I-V characteristics of QDSSCs made from TiO2 photoanodes sensitized by various QDs

Table 1 Comparison of the I-V characteristics of QDSSCs made from TiO2 photoanodes sensitized by various QDs

Samples	η /%	V_OC/V	FF	J_SC/(mA·cm^-2)
TiO₂/CdS(2)/CdSe	0.39	0.283	0.347	4.00
TiO₂/CdS(4)/CdSe	0.59	0.297	0.320	6.22
TiO₂/CdS(6)/CdSe	0.62	0.341	0.371	4.90
TiO₂/QGDs/CdS(2)/CdSe	0.61	0.316	0.342	5.62
TiO₂/QGDs/CdS(4)/CdSe	1.24	0.374	0.342	9.47
TiO₂/QGDs/CdS(6)/CdSe	1.05	0.395	0.324	8.23

Fig. 9 IPCE spectra of QDSSCs prepared with various QDs-sensitized TiO2 photoanodes

Fig. 10 EIS spectra of QDSSCs prepared with various QDs-sensitized TiO2 photoanodes

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