Hybrid light sensitizer: The exfoliated, layered, double hydroxide nanosheets induced a strong photochromic function in the anthraquinone sulfonate anions that were chemically immobilized on the nanosheets. This hybrid nanosheet was applied to the dye‐sensitized solar cell as a new light sensitizer that was self‐organized on TiO2 spheres, resulting in a higher solar‐to‐electric conversion efficiency than the single‐dye cell, owing to the intense photochromic function of the hybrid nanosheets.
Large‐scale (as much as 200 g in a batch) and surfactant‐free syntheses of the CuInxGa1–xSe2 and the CuInxGa1–xS2 nanoparticles were investigated by employing a sonochemical process under ambient conditions. This synthetic approach eliminates the need for organic stabilizers, which may act as an insulator in the final device, and reduces the number of reaction steps for synthesis of high‐quality CISe nanocrystals. We also demonstrate the solution‐based fabrication of the thin film photovoltaic devices with a conversion efficiency of 2.62 % by using nanocrystal‐based inks. The device was fabricated with 2 μm of a CIGS absorber layer on Mo‐coated soda lime glass, 70 nm of a chemical‐bath‐deposited CdS layer, 100 nm of an intrinsic ZnO layer, followed by 800 nm of a Al‐doped ZnO layer. Finally, a patterned Ag (200 nm) grid was deposited on the top of the device. The current results offer a promising alternative for solution‐based CIGSe thin film solar cells, with a higher efficiency.
Polycrystalline CuInSe2 (CIS) was synthesized through solvothermal reactions in toluene with selected alkyl amines as complexing agents. The alkyl amines were used as reducing agent of selenium and catalytic ligands, enhancing the formation of CIS compounds in the colloidal solution. Toluene does not contribute the syntheses directly but minimizes the amounts of amines required for single phase CIS. We systematically studied the reactivity of amine compounds for the solovothermal syntheses, determined critical concentration of amine and the shortest reaction time. Crystallinity, morphology, chemical composition, and band gap of the prepared CuInSe2 were respectively measured by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy and UV-vis spectroscopy.
Solvothermal Synthesis of Copper Indium Diselenide in Toluene. -The reactivity of selected alkyl amines as complexing agents in the solvothermal synthesis of CuInSe2 from mixtures of Se, CuCl2, and InCl3 in toluene is studied and the critical amine concentration and shortest reaction times are determined. The best results are obtained using 0.09 M triethylenetetramine (autoclave, 180°C, 48 h). The prepared samples are characterized by XRD, SEM, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, and UV/VIS spectroscopy. The synthesis method opens potential applications of CuInSe2 for solar cells, fabrication of sputtering targets, and CuInSe2 nano-ink for coating processes. -(CHANG, J.; HAN, J. E.; JUNG*, D.-Y.; Bull.
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