Title: Cu_2-xS nanocrystals prepared by solvothermal method for highly efficient quantum dot sensitised solar cells

Authors: S.X. Wang; X.G. Liu; J.J. Tian

Addresses: Institute of Advanced Materials Technology, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China ' Institute of Advanced Materials Technology, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China ' Institute of Advanced Materials Technology, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China

Abstract: Copper chalcogenide nanostructures such as Cu_2-xS 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 Cu_2-xS CE is regarded as an efficient approach to improve the performance of QDSCs. Here, we report on a Cu_2-xS nanostructured CE for QDSCs. The Cu_2-xS 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 Cu_2-xS 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 Cu_2-xS CE is up to 4.52%.

Keywords: 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.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNM.2016.079215

International Journal of Nanomanufacturing, 2016 Vol.12 No.3/4, pp.363 - 371

Received: 09 May 2015
Accepted: 27 Nov 2015
Published online: 23 Sep 2016 *

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