A review of semiconductor materials as sensitizers for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells

This paper presents an overview of recent studies on QDSSC photosensitization and provides suggestions to improve QDSSCs by explicitly comparing different sensitizers. Particular focus is directed on the behavior of several important types of semiconductor nanomaterials (sensitizers such as CdS, Ag2S, CdSe, CdTe, CdHgTe, InAs, and PbS) and other nanomaterials that are TiO2, ZnO, and carbon-based species. These materials are developed to enhance the electron transfer efficiency of QDSSCs. Understanding the mechanism of various photosensitization processes can provide design guidelines for future successful applications.