Fabrication of CdS Quantum Dots Sensitized Solar Cells Prepared by Two TiO2Pastes Containing Ag Nanoparticles in Different Media

In this work, first we synthesised silver nanoparticles (NPs) in two different media (i.e.: glycerol andwater). Then various TiO2 pastes were produced containing Ag NPs. These pastes were used in CdS quantum dotsensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) as photoanode. The successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) methodwas applied for deposition of CdS quantum dots (QDs) on the TiO2 layer. The absorbance of spherical silvernanoparticles in water and in glycerol was calculated. Results indicated that the position of the absorbance peak shiftstowards higher wavelengths in glycerol, due to its higher refractive index. The short-circuit current density andconversion efficiency of the fabricated cells included Ag NPs in photoanode were enhanced compared to cells withoutAg NPs. It seems that the increase in refractive index and conductivity results in increase in a photocurrent density anda conversion efficiency of the cell.

Keywords:

Quantum dot sensitized solar cells , Ag nanoparticles , Titanium dioxide , Photoanode , Surface plasmonresonance