the National Natural Science Foundation of China(91433205, 51402348, 51421002, 21173260, 11474333, 91233202);National Key Basic Research Program of China (973)(2012CB932903)
Beijing Key Laboratory for New Energy Materials and Devices, Key Laboratory for Renewable Energy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
Abstract:
Quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs) have attracted much attention in the past few years because of the advantages of quantum dots (QDs), including low cost, easy fabrication, size-dependence bandgap, and multiple exciton generation (MEG). The properties of QD sensitizers influence the performance of QDSCs, such as their photoelectric characteristics, preparation methods, surface defects, chemical stability, and their sensitization towards TiO2 photoanodes. This review demonstrates the development of QD sensitizers, including narrow bandgap binary QDs, ternary or quaternary alloyed QDs, and Type-Ⅱ core-shell QDs, especially the preparation methods of colloidal QDs. Furthermore, the deposition and sensitization methods of QDs are introduced in detail, particularly bifunctional-assisted self-assembly deposition. Meanwhile, methods to improve electron injection efficiency and reduce charge recombination are also summarized. Finally, a brief introduction is provided to the development of electrolytes and counter electrodes in QDSCs.
