Enhancing Performance of CdS Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells by Two-Dimensional g-C3N4 Modified TiO2 Nanorods

Abstract

In present work, two-dimensional g-C3N4 was used to modify TiO2 nanorod array photoanodes for CdS quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs), and the improved cell performances were reported. Single crystal TiO2 nanorods are prepared by hydrothermal method on transparent conductive glass and spin-coated with g-C3N4. CdS quantum dots were deposited on the g-C3N4 modified TiO2 photoanodes via successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method. Compared with pure TiO2 nanorod array photoanodes, the g-C3N4 modified photoanodes showed an obvious improvement in cell performances, and a champion efficiency of 2.31 % with open circuit voltage of 0.66 V, short circuit current density of 7.13 mA/cm2, and fill factor (FF) of 0.49 was achieved, giving 23 % enhancement in cell efficiency. The improved performances were due to the matching conduction bands and valence bands of g-C3N4 and TiO2, which greatly enhanced the separation and transfer of the photogenerated electrons and holes and effectively suppressed interfacial recombination. Present work provides a new direction for improving performance of QDSSCs.

Recent Advances in g-C3N4 for the Application of Perovskite Solar Cells

“…More importantly, it has excellent thermal and chemical stability [ 46 , 48 , 49 , 50 ]. Consequently, g–C 3 N 4 has been broadly used in pollutant degradation, sensing, optoelectronic devices, and other fields [ 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 ]. Figure 1 b plotted the molecule structure diagrams of g–C 3 N 4 , based on tri–s–triazine connection patterns.…”

Mini Review on the Structure and Properties (Photocatalysis), and Preparation Techniques of Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nano-Based Particle, and Its Applications

“…This ability of g-C 3 N 4 is due to the exceptional reversible protonation and deprotonation nature. One of the greatest approaches is the use solar fuel from CO 2 and water (produced by most photocatalysts) to produce H 2 , hydrocarbons, and syngas for energy and others [ 77 , 78 ]. It was proposed that g-C 3 N 4 has the potential of being metal-free and scalable photocatalysts for visible-light use based on the structure, synthesis, and preparation technique applied.…”

Trap engineering using oxygen-doped graphitic carbon nitride for high-performance perovskite solar cells

“…Therefore, g-C 3 N 4 has now been used in optoelectronic devices or applications beyond the photocatalysis fields. [21][22][23][24][25][26] Wu et al recently utilized g-C 3 N 4 to improve the ETL quality, and improved efficiency has been realized after the incorporation of g-C 3 N 4 . 27 However, considering that pure g-C 3 N 4 usually shows insufficient charge carrier transport efficiency and can only partially heal the ETL or ETL/perovskite interface, it is still important to further modify g-C 3 N 4 to minimize the electron trap-assisted non-radiative recombination in PVSCs.…”