PbS Quantum Dots Sensitized TiO2 Solar Cells Prepared by Successive Ionic Layer Absorption and Reaction with Different Adsorption Layers

Abstract

Lead sulfide (PbS) quantum dots (QDs) have been synthesized via successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) on a titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoporous film for the fabrication of quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs). The reaction is environmental friendly and energy saving. The green synthesized PbS QDs match the maximum remittance region of the solar spectrum and are suitable as sensitizers for TiO2 electrodes for cell devices application. PbS QDs were adsorbed in different adsorption layers in order to improve the solar cell performance. The optical properties of PbS sensitized TiO2 films were studied by scanning electron microscopy and UV-Vis absorbance spectroscopy. The photovoltaic characteristics of the PbS QDSCs were analyzed by I-V characteristics and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. As a result, the light harvesting was enhanced with increasing SILAR adsorption layers. The maximum photovoltaic conversion efficiency of the PbS QDSCs (3.14%) was obtained at the 12 adsorption layers with the highest short circuit current density and lowest charge transfer resistance.