Cu2-xS nanocrystals prepared by solvothermal method for highly efficient quantum dot sensitised solar cells. (2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, S.X.; Liu, X.G.; Tian, J.J.
• Is Part Of: International journal of nanomanufacturing. Volume 12:Number 3/4(2016)
• Page Start: 363
• Page End: 371
• Publication Date: 2016
• Subjects: quantum dot sensitised solar cells -- QDSC -- counter electrodes -- Cu2-xS -- power conversion efficiency -- PCE -- nanocrystals -- solvothermal method -- quantum dots -- copper chalcogenide nanostructures -- nanotechnology -- catalytic activity -- charge transfer -- surface area; Nanostructured materials industry -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1746-9392

Abstract

Copper chalcogenide nanostructures such as Cu2-x S have been widely used in quantum dot sensitised solar cells (QDSCs) as counter electrode (CE). Owing to larger surface area and higher catalytic activity, the introduction of the nanostructured Cu2-x S CE is regarded as an efficient approach to improve the performance of QDSCs. Here, we report on a Cu2-x S nanostructured CE for QDSCs. The Cu2-x S nanocrystals with the size of ∼50 nm are prepared by solvothermal method at 160°C for 120 minutes. Such nanostructured CE shows better catalytic activity and charge transfer, larger specific surface area and higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) than those of the common Cu2-x S CE prepared by grass foil. In addition, the charge recombination in QDSCs can be reduced by the nanostructured CE. As a result, one of the best PCE of QDSC with the nanostructured Cu2-x S CE is up to 4.52%.