硫化亚铜对电极在量子点敏化太阳电池中的应用

报道了一种基于硫族金属复合物N₄H₉Cu₇S₄前驱体溶液制备硫化亚铜对电极的新方法. 分别制备了TiO₂纳米颗粒多孔薄膜和TiO₂纳米棒阵列结构的光阳极, 并在此基础上研究了基于硫化亚铜对电极的CdS/CdSe量子点敏化太阳电池的光电性能, 同时结合电化学阻抗技术考察了硫化亚铜对电极的催化性能. 结果表明: 与铂电极相比, 本方法制备的硫化亚铜电极对多硫电解质具有更高的催化活性, 所组装的CdS/CdSe量子点敏化太阳电池具有更优的光伏性能.     

Influence of highly efficient PbS counter electrode on photovoltaic performance of CdSe quantum dots-sensitized solar cells

PbS electrode with high catalytic activity to S_n ^2? reduction certificated by the measurements of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry was prepared by a simple method. The high catalytic activity makes it be a low-cost alternative counter electrode to platinum (Pt) to be used in quantum dots-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) based on polysulfide electrolyte. The photovoltaic performance enhancement of the quantum dots (QDs)-sensitized semiconductor thin films due to the PbS counter electrode was evaluated by fabricating QDSSCs based on CdSe QDs-sensitized ZnO (SnO₂) thin film. CdSe QDs-sensitized ZnO thin film has the lower internal total series resistance and electron transmission time, the higher electron lifetime and electron collection efficiency than the CdSe QDs-sensitized SnO₂ thin film. Replacing the Pt counter electrode with the PbS counter electrode leads to more improvement on the short circuit photocurrent density for QDSSC based on the ZnO thin film than the SnO₂ thin film. Therefore, the process to limit the photovoltaic performance of CdSe QDs-sensitized solar cell and the possible way to improve the photovoltaic performance were analyzed.     

Quantum dots co-sensitized solar cells: a new assembly process of CdS/CdSe linked to mesoscopic TiO2-nano-SiO2 hybrid film

A green and simple method was found to prepare CdS/CdSe co-sensitized photoelectrodes for the quantum dots sensitized solar cells application. All the assembly processes of CdS and CdSe quantum dots (QDs) were carried out in aqueous solution. CdS and CdSe QDs were sequentially assembled onto TiO₂-nano-SiO₂ hybrid film by two steps. Firstly, CdS QDs were deposited in situ over TiO₂-nano-SiO₂ hybrid film by the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) process in water. Secondly, using 3-mercaptopropionic acid (3-MPA) as a linker molecule, the pre-prepared colloidal CdSe QDs (~3.0 nm) dissolved in water was linked onto the TiO₂-nano-SiO₂ hybrid film by the self-assembled monolayer technique with the mode of dropwise. The mode is simple and advantageous to saving materials and time. The results show that the photovoltaic performance of the cells is enhanced with the increase of SILAR cycles for TiO₂-nano-SiO₂/CdS photoelectrode. The power conversion efficiency of 2.15 % was achieved using the co-sensitization photoelectrode prepared by using 6 SILAR cycles of CdS plus CdSe (TiO₂-nano-SiO₂/CdS(6)/CdSe) under the illumination of one sun (AM1.5, 100 mW/cm²).     

Ion-exchange synthesis and improved photovoltaic performance of CdS/Ag2S heterostructures for inorganic-organic hybrid solar cells

A facile ultrasound-assisted ion exchange route was developed for the synthesis of CdS/Ag₂S heterojunctions by ion exchange between the nanostructured CdS film and [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺ under ultrasonication. The CdS/Ag₂S heterojunction film was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-vis DRS spectroscopy, photoelectrochemical measurements, and the transient photovoltage (TPV) technique. CdSAg₂S heterojunctions exhibit a dense morphology, enhanced visible light absorption and stronger photocurrent response than the pure CdS films. Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) was then spin coated into the CdS/Ag₂S framework. Hybrid solar cells constructed with FTO/CdS/Ag₂S/P3HT/Au display relatively higher power conversion efficiency than FTO/CdS/P3HT/Au.     

Metal/metal sulfide functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes: FTO-free counter electrodes for dye sensitized solar cells

The use of single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) thin films to replace conventional fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) and both FTO and platinum (Pt) as the counter electrode in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) requires surface modification due to high sheet resistance and charge transfer resistance. In this paper, we report a simple, solution-based method of preparing FTO-free counter electrodes based on metal (Pt) or metal sulfide (Co(8.4)S(8), Ni(3)S(2)) nanoparticles/CNT composite films to improve device performance. Based on electrochemical studies, the relative catalytic activity of the composite films was Pt > Co(8.4)S(8) > Ni(3)S(2). We achieved a maximum efficiency of 3.76% for the device with an FTO-free counter electrode (Pt/CNT). The device with an FTO- and Pt-free (CoS/CNT) counter electrode gives 3.13% efficiency.     

花状硫化铜的合成及其光电催化性能

通过硫化介孔Cu_2O微球得到花状Cu_xS纳米催化材料,并采用丝网印刷法制备出Cu_xS/FTO对电极。通过X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)等表征手段对所得材料的结构和形貌进行了探究,同时系统考察了溶液浓度、硫化时间、催化剂印刷层数对Cu_xS/FTO电极的催化性能影响和所组装量子点敏化太阳电池的光电转换效率,其中基于Zn-Cu-In-Se量子点敏化的电池转换效率达8.80%,表现出花状Cu_xS优异的光电催化性能。     

Spectral broadening in quantum dots-sensitized photoelectrochemical solar cells based on CdSe and Mg-doped CdSe nanocrystals

In order to absorb a broad spectrum in visible region, a co-sensitized TiO₂ electrode was prepared by CdSe and Mg-doped CdSe quantum dots (Q dots). The power conversion efficiency of the co-sensitized Q dots photoelectrochemical solar cells (PECs) showed 1.03% under air mass 1.5 condition (I = 100 mW/cm²), which is higher than that of individual Q dots-sensitized PECs. The incident-photon-to-current conversion efficiency of the co-sensitized PECs showed absorption peaks at 541 and 578 nm corresponding to the two Q dots and displayed a broad spectral response over the entire visible spectrum in the 500–600 nm wavelength domains.     

Highly efficient quasi-solid-state quantum-dot-sensitized solar cell based on hydrogel electrolytes

Chemically crosslinked polyacrylamide-based hydrogel has been first used as the polymer matrix to prepare quasi-solid-state polysulfide electrolyte for CdS/CdSe co-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs). The room temperature ionic conductivity of the gel electrolyte reaches 0.093 S·cm^?1. QDSCs based on this quasi-solid-state electrolyte can present up to 4.0% of light-to-electricity conversion efficiency. Meanwhile, the interfacial recombination at TiO₂/electrolyte interface of the cell is also investigated by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS).     

Stability of CdS-coated TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> solar cells

The obstacle to realize the large-scale production of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is its long-term stability and reliability problem. One of the main causes of the instability of DSSCs is the use of liquid electrolytes. In addition, exploring nano-sized particles of CdS as an alternative sensitizer for organic dye in dye-sensitized solar cells have attracted great interest due to the high cost and the instability of the organic dye. Our study has found that the CdS-coated TiO₂ cell degrades rapidly in the liquid electrolytes even under dark environment. In this work, a solid-state solar cell structure of Glass/FTO/TiO₂/CdS:Cu/FTO/glass was successfully made with an efficiency of 0.7%. CdS:Cu served as both the p-type conductor and absorber. No efficiency was obtained for cell structures of glass/FTO/TiO₂/CdS/FTO/glass. This indicates the effectiveness of hole conducting behavior of CdS:Cu. This is the first time that this type of solid-state solar cell is reported and improved stability is demonstrated.     

A flexible photoelectrode for CdS/CdSe quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs)

We, for the first time, prepared a flexible photoelectrode for CdS/CdSe quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). A power conversion efficiency of 3.47% was achieved under AM 1.5G illumination for a sandwich type QDSSC consisting of this flexible photoelectrode, Cu(2)S counter electrode and polysulfide electrolyte between the electrodes.     

Solution processed transition metal sulfides: application as counter electrodes in dye sensitized solar cells (DSCs)

A solution processed method for fabricating transition metal sulfides on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) as efficient counter electrodes in iodine/iodide based solar cells has been demonstrated. Conversion efficiencies of 7.01% and 6.50% were obtained for nickel and cobalt sulfides, respectively, comparable to the conventional thermally platinised FTO electrodes (7.32%). A comparable charge transfer resistance of Ni(3)S(2) and Co(8.4)S(8) to conventional Pt was found to be a key factor for such high efficiencies. Cyclic voltammetry, Kelvin probe microscopy, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, and Tafel polarization were performed to study the underlying reasons behind such efficient counter electrode performance.     

Co-sensitization of vertically aligned TiO2 nanotubes with two different sizes of CdSe quantum dots for broad spectrum

In order to absorb a broad spectrum in the visible region, vertically aligned TiO₂ nanotubes (TONTs) were co-sensitized by two different sizes of CdSe quantum dots (Q dots). The power conversion efficiency of co-sensitized Q dots solar cells showed 1.20%. The co-sensitization of Q dots showed higher performance than the single size sensitization. The incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency of co-sensitized TONTs electrode showed two absorption peaks at 520 and 550 nm demonstrating the sensitization of Q dots with two different sizes. This efficiency enhanced charge harvesting efficiency over the entire visible spectrum, particularly the 500–600 nm wavelength domains.     

Growth of aligned polypyrrole acicular nanorods and their application as Pt‐free semitransparent counter electrode in dye‐sensitized solar cell

Polypyrrole films on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO)‐coated glass substrate were prepared in situ by placing FTO/glass substrates where pyrrole was polymerized by methyl orange‐ferric chloride complex. The atomic force microscopy image indicated growth of acicular nanorods of polypyrrole. These films exhibited catalytic activity towards I₃⁻/I⁻ redox couple and have been investigated for counter electrode application in dye‐sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The fabricated DSSC with N719 dye/TiO₂ as photoanode, and PPy/FTO as counter electrode shows ~1.7% efficiency.     

Raman and photoluminescence investigation of CdS/CdSe quantum dots on TiO2 nanoparticles with multi-walled carbon nanotubes and their application in solar cells

Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) were used to investigate the improved short-circuit current density (J_SC) of CdS/CdSe quantum dot (QD)-sensitized solar cells with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Raman and PL experiments were carried out in order to explore the hot-electron and cold-electron injections, respectively. The experimental results showed that the concentration of MWCNTs influences the hot-electron and cold-electron injections from CdS/CdSe QDs to TiO₂ nanoparticles. Therefore, the improved J_SC in CdS/CdSe QD-sensitized solar cells can be explained as due to the better electron injections.     

Ag2S quantum dot-sensitized solar cells

We present a new photosensitizer – Ag₂S quantum dots (QDs) – for solar cells. The QDs were grown by the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction deposition method. The assembled Ag₂S-QD solar cells yield a best power conversion efficiency of 1.70% and a short-circuit current of 1.54 mA/cm² under 10.8% sun. The solar cells have a maximal external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 50% at λ = 530 nm and an average EQE of ～ 42% over the spectral range of 400–1000 nm. The effective photovoltaic range covers the visible and near-infrared spectral regions and is ～ 2–4 times broader than that of the cadmium chalcogenide systems — CdS and CdSe. The results show that Ag₂S QDs can be used as a highly efficient and broadband sensitizer for solar cells.     

溅射-置换法制备染料敏化太阳能电池对电极Pt/FTO

采用溅射-置换(SD)法在导电玻璃(FTO)基底上制备了染料敏化太阳能电池(DSSC)对电极SD-Pt/FTO.形貌表征显示,和热解法(PY)所获得的对电极(PY-Pt/FTO)相比,SD法获得的对电极SD-Pt/FTO上Pt颗粒分散性显著改善.光电流-光电压特性曲线测试表明,以SD-Pt/FTO为DSSC对电极的光电转化效率比以PY-Pt/FTO为DSSC对电极的提高了16.5%.DSSC电池性能改善与SD-Pt/FTO对电极具有较低的电阻和由Pt颗粒分散性改善引起催化性能改善密切相关.     

单晶二氧化钛纳米棒阵列的修饰及其在量子点敏化太阳电池中的应用(英文)

使用TiCl4溶液对单晶TiO2纳米棒阵列(TNRs)进行修饰,通过在TiO2纳米棒表面合成TiO2纳米颗粒来提高TNRs的表面积,提高TNRs对量子点的吸附能力,并在此基础上研究了TiCl4修饰时间对基于单晶TNRs的CdS/CdSe量子点敏化太阳电池光伏性能的影响,同时结合强度调制光电流谱(IMPS)研究了TiO2纳米棒阵列的电子传输性能.结果表明:TiCl4修饰可以大幅提高基于单晶TNRs的CdS/CdSe量子点敏化太阳电池的光伏性能,在TiCl4修饰时间为60 h时,其短路电流密度和光电转换效率分别由修饰前的(2.93±0.07)mA·cm-2和0.36%±0.02%提高至(8.19±0.12)mA·cm-2和1.17%±0.07%.同时,IMPS测试表明电子在单晶TiO2纳米棒阵列中的传输速率高于在TiO2纳米颗粒薄膜中的传输速率,证明了单晶TiO2纳米棒阵列在电子传输方面的优越性.     

电沉积-置换法制备Pt/Ti对电极及其对染料敏化太阳能电池性能的提升

采用电沉积-置换法在Ti片上制备了染料敏化太阳能电池(DSSC)的对电极Pt/Ti. 形貌表征结果显示, 与传统热解法制备的Pt/FTO对电极相比, Pt/Ti对电极Ti基底上Pt催化颗粒的粒径和分散性得到显著改善. 光电流-光电压特性曲线测试结果表明, 以Pt/Ti为对电极的DSSC与以Pt/FTO为对电极的DSSC相比, 光电转化效率提高了20.8%. 由于Pt颗粒分散性和粒径的改善所引起的Pt催化性能的提高、 Pt/Ti对电极更低的电阻以及Ti基底更好的反光性能是提升DSSC性能的原因.     

Self‐powered Photoelectrochemical Sensor for Gallic Acid Exploiting a CdSe/ZnS Core‐shell Quantum Dot Sensitized TiO2 as Photoanode

Herein is described the development of a self‐powered sensor for gallic acid (GA) determination exploiting CdSe/ZnS quantum dot sensitized TiO₂ nanoparticles (CdSe/ZnS/TiO₂/FTO) as photoanode and an all copper oxide photocathode (CuO/Cu₂O/FTO) to reduce water. A two‐chamber self‐powered photoelectrochemical cell was employed in order to maintain separated the photoelectrodes. The self‐powered photoelectrochemical cell is based on water reduction in the cathodic chamber while gallic acid acts as a hole scavenger in the anodic chamber to generate the necessary cell output to drive GA oxidation in the anodic compartment. Electrochemical impedance measurements were performed to evaluate the electronic characteristics of CdSe/ZnS/TiO₂/FTO photoanode and CuO/Cu₂O/FTO photocathode in terms of flat band potential, carrier density, and nature of semiconductor. Under optimized conditions, the self‐powered photoelectrochemical cell presented a wide linear response range for GA from 1 μmol L⁻¹ up to 200 μmol L⁻¹.     

CdTe/CdS共敏化TiO2电极材料的制备与光电性能

将电沉积法和化学浴沉积法结合,分别将CdTe和CdS量子点纳米晶材料引入到TiO₂纳米管阵列上制备CdTe/CdS量子点共敏化TiO₂光电极。利用扫描电镜、X射线衍射和X射线能量色散光谱等测试手段对所得样品的形貌、晶型和组分进行表征。在模拟太阳光照射条件下,通过电化学工作站测试其光电化学性能。研究结果表明,相对于单一量子点敏化CdS/TiO₂和CdTe/TiO₂光电极而言,共敏化CdTe/CdS/TiO₂光电极表现出更好的光电转化性能,短路电流密度和光电转换效率分别可以达到3.1 mA·cm^-2和1.85%。此外,采用电化学阻抗测试技术对材料性能提升的原因进行深入的探究。