Quantum‐Dot‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

Quantum‐dot‐sensitized solar cells (QDSCs) are a promising low‐cost alternative to existing photovoltaic technologies such as crystalline silicon and thin inorganic films. The absorption spectrum of quantum dots (QDs) can be tailored by controlling their size, and QDs can be produced by low‐cost methods. Nanostructures such as mesoporous films, nanorods, nanowires, nanotubes and nanosheets with high microscopic surface area, redox electrolytes and solid‐state hole conductors are borrowed from standard dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSCs) to fabricate electron conductor/QD monolayer/hole conductor junctions with high optical absorbance. Herein we focus on recent developments in the field of mono‐ and polydisperse QDSCs. Stability issues are adressed, coating methods are presented, performance is reviewed and special emphasis is given to the importance of energy‐level alignment to increase the light to electric power conversion efficiency.

Synthesis, Optical Characterization, and Size Distribution Determination by Curve Resolution Methods of Water-Soluble CdSe Quantum Dots

“…1 QDs are particularly interesting for fundamental studies in the field of nanoscience, have potential technological applications in optoelectronic devices, including light emitting diodes (LEDs), lasers, photodetectors, and photovoltaic cells, [2][3][4][5] and may aid labeling of biomedical entities. 6 Quantum confinement effects give rise to semiconducting nanoparticles with physical and chemical properties that are distinct from the properties of the individual molecule or the bulk species.…”

Ultrafast characterization of the electron injection from CdSe quantum dots and dye N719 co-sensitizers into TiO2 using sulfide based ionic liquid for enhanced long term stability

“…[1][2][3][4] Furthermore, the use of semiconductors as sensitizers has some unique advantages as the high extinction coefficients due to the quantum confinement, tunable band gap from the infra-red to the ultraviolet by adjusting the size, 5 large intrinsic dipole moments which may lead to a rapid charge separation, and the possibility of multiple electron generation (MEG) 6,7 which gives to QDSCs the capability to achieve quantum yields, or even external quantum efficiency, greater than 100%. 8,9 In addition, semiconductor QDs are excellent building blocks for the design of light supracollecting structures by the synergetic combination of different types of QDs, 10,11 or QDs and dyes.…”

The Application of Inorganic Nanomaterials in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

“…For monodisperse QDs, fractional exchange of the capping ligands by molecular dipoles can be used to shift the electronic QD states with respect to their environment in a systematic fashion, as shown in the Fig. 12 (Ruhle et al, 2010).…”