Amine anchored CdS quantum dot sensitized solar cells

CdS quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) were produced by doping Al3+ ions in the TiO2 photoanode and addition of amine (ethylglycinate hydrochloride) to the CdS solution in order to improve their efficiency. Results indicated that the photovoltaic parameters of the optimized cell were boosted compared with those of the reference cell which was free of Al3+ QDs and amine indicating 68, 73 and 10.40% improvements in efficiency, current density and open-circuit voltage, respectively. Addition of 0.3%wt Al3+ as a dopant was appropriate to attain suitable photocurrent efficiency for the QDSSCs because it could be used in a minimum amount to improve the electron transport, drop the recombination and increase the cell efficiency. The effect of amine addition was related to its C=O and NH3+ functional groups in its structure (CH3CH2-O-C(O)-CH2-NH3+ Cl) which led to anchoring of amine molecules onto the CdS QDs resulting in their good dispersion and prevented particles agglomeration. The possibility of the formation of additional sites for the electron transfer and reduced charge recombination could also be taken into account as another reason for efficiency enhancement by amine employment.

Amine anchored CdS quantum dot sensitized solar cells Keywords:

Quantum dot sensitized solar cells , Amine addition , Photocurrent , Photovoltaic performance , ATR spectra