ZnSe quantum dots sensitized electrospun ZnO nanofibers as an efficient photoanode for improved performance of QDSSC

In the present study, zinc selenide (ZnSe) quantum dots (QDs) with an average size of ~2.6 nm were prepared by hot injection method and used as a sensitizer onto the electrospun ZnO nanofibers using 3-mercaptapropionic acid as a linker agent. The optical absorption, photoluminescence and time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) studies for ZnSe sensitized ZnO NFs were performed to give insight about the improvement in optical properties. The performances of fabricated QDSSCs was examined in detail using cobalt sulfide (CoS) as a counter electrode and polysulfide redox couple (S2−/Sx2−) as an electrolyte. The ZnSe QDs sensitized ZnO nanofibers showed an appreciable improvement in short circuit current density (6.60 mA/cm2) with a maximum power conversion efficiency of 1.24% under 1 sun illumination of 100 mW/cm2. This enhancement is mainly due to better light harvesting ability of ZnSe QDs and ZnO NFs, and lower recombination of photoinjected electrons with the polysulfide electrolyte. The improvement in power conversion efficiency (PCE) and reduction in back electrons recombination are supported by photovoltaic and electrochemical impedance studies. Finally, stability test was carried out over a span of 30 days (720 h) under one sun illumination to know about the practical applicability of the resultant QDSSC.