Work

Cu2S Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite for High-Efficiency Quantum Dot Solar Cells. Overcoming the Redox Limitations of S2–/Sn2– at the Counter Electrode

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: Polysulfide electrolyte that is employed as a redox electrolyte in quantum dot sensitized solar cells provides stability to the cadmium chalcogenide photoanode but introduces significant redox limitations at the counter electrode through undesirable surface reactions. By designing reduced graphene oxide (RGO)-Cu 2 S composite, we have now succeeded in shuttling electrons through the RGO sheets and polysulfide-active Cu 2 S more efficiently than Pt electrode, improving the fill factor by ∼75%. The composite material characterized and optimized at different compositions indicates a Cu/RGO mass ratio of 4 provides the best electrochemical performance. A sandwich CdSe quantum dot sensitized solar cell constructed using the optimized RGO-Cu 2 S composite counter electrode exhibited an unsurpassed power conversion efficiency of 4.4%.

Source: The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters

DOI: 10.1021/jz201064k

Authors: Emmy J. Radich, Ryan Dwyer, Prashant V. Kamat

Institution: University of Notre Dame

Language: English

Topic: Quantum Dots Synthesis And Properties

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: green

Funder: U.S. Department of Energy