A fluorescent quenching performance enhancing principle for carbon nanodot-sensitized aqueous solar cells. (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Haimin; Wang, Yun; Liu, Porun; Li, Yibing; Yang, Hua Gui; An, Taicheng; Wong, Po-Keung; Wang, Dan; Tang, Zhiyong; Zhao, Huijun
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 13(2015:Apr.)
• Page Start: 124
• Page End: 130
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: Fluorescent quenching -- Aqueous solar cells -- Carbon nanodot sensitizer -- Iodide quencher -- Natural biomass; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Power resources -- Technological innovations; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2015.01.046
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: We report a fluorescent quenching principle capable of markedly enhancing the conversion efficiency of carbon nanodots (CNDs)-sensitized aqueous solar cells (CNDs-ASCs). A conversion efficiency of 0.529%, over 4-times of the best conversion efficiency reported for CNDs-sensitized solar cells, is achieved with a cell constructed using CNDs as the sensitizer and aqueous I − /I3 − electrolyte serving a dual-function as the recombination blocker (fluorescent quencher) and redox mediator. The results confirm that the significantly enhanced utilization efficiency of the photo-excited electrons resulting from the efficiently quenched fluorescent emission of CNDs sensitizer by I − is responsible for the markedly improved conversion efficiency of CNDs-ASCs. The findings of this work validate a principle that could be widely applicable for enhancing the performance of solar cells employing other fluorescent quantum dots/nanodots sensitizers. Graphical abstract: Highlights: A fluorescent quenching principle was used for nanodot-sensitized solar cells. Carbon nanodots were synthesized by hydrothermal treatment of grass. I − serves a dual-function as the fluorescent quencher and redox mediator. A conversion efficiency of 0.529% was achieved for CNDs-ASCs.