Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
8035052 | Thin Solid Films | 2014 | 6 Pages |
Abstract
CdTe/CdSe and CdSe/CdTe core/shell colloidal quantum dots, both with and without a second CdS shell, have been synthesised and characterised by absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopies, scanning transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Each type of quantum dot had a zinc blende crystal structure and had an absorption edge in the near-infrared, potentially enabling the more efficient exploitation of the solar spectrum. Each was used to sensitise a photovoltaic cell of a 'Grätzel-type' design consisting of the dots coated onto mesoporous TiO2, a sulphur-based electrolyte and a platinum top electrode. The photovoltaic efficiency of the cells was found to be greater for Type-II dots as compared to the quasi-Type-II dots. However, the efficiency was reduced on the addition of an outer CdS shell indicating that it acts as a barrier to charge extraction.
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Physical Sciences and Engineering
Materials Science
Nanotechnology
Authors
N. McElroy, R.C. Page, D. Espinbarro-Valazquez, E. Lewis, S. Haigh, P. O'Brien, D.J. Binks,