Journal of Materials Chemistry A
·
2015
·Vol. 3
·期 8
·4445-4452
·
IF 7.443
Bingkun Liu,Yanjun Sun,Xuesong Wang,Lijing Zhang,Dejun Wang,Zewen Fu,Yanhong Lin,Tengfeng Xie
We report novel hierarchical three-dimensional (3D) TiO2 nanotube-branched rutile TiO2 nanorod arrays (H-TiO2 NRAs) on FTO substrates that serve as model architecture for efficient quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs). The newly designed H-TiO2 NRA photoanode offers a large surface area for high QD loading with high light scattering properties. In the meantime, the presence of anatase–rutile heterojunction at the interface helps the rutile nanorods to efficiently collect photo-injected electrons from the anatase nanotubes, reducing electron recombination with the electrolyte and QDs. As a result, the H-TiO2 NRA photoanode with a thickness of only 1 μm, exhibits a solar energy conversion efficiency of 1.04%, which is 2.7 times higher than that found in the pristine nanorod array-based QDSCs, demonstrating the synergistic effect of rutile nanorods and anatase nanotubes for photoelectrochemical solar energy conversion.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
能源科学
·
纳米技术
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
Advanced Science
·
2024
·
IF 14.3
Tianming Wang,Lejuan Cai,Caijuan Xia,Han Song,Lianbi Li,Gongxun Bai,Nianqing Fu,Lede Xian,Rong Yang,Haoran Mu,Guangyu Zhang,Shenghuang Lin
Quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSCs) represent a promising third-generation photovoltaic technology, boasting a high theoretical efficiency of 44% and cost efficiency. However, their practical efficiency is constrained by reduced photovoltage ( V oc ) and fill factor (FF). One primary reason is the inefficient charge transfer and elevated recombination rates at the counter electrode (CE). In this work, a novel CE composed of a titanium mesh loaded with Co,N─C@MoS 2 is introduced for the assembly of QDSCs. The incorporation of nanosized MoS 2 enhances the density of catalytic sites, while the Co,N─C component ensures high conductivity and provides a substantial active surface area. Additionally, the titanium mesh's 3D structure serves as an effective electrical conduit, facilitating rapid electron transfer from the external circuit to the composite. These improvements in catalytic activity, charge transfer rate, and stability of the CE significantly enhance the photovoltaic performance of QDSCs. The optimized cells achieve a groundbreaking power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 16.39%, accompanied by a short-circuit current density ( J sc ) of 27.26 mA cm −2 , V oc of 0.818 V, and FF of 0.735. These results not only offer a new strategy for designing electrodes with high catalytic activity but also underscore the promising application of the Co,N─C@MoS 2 composite in enhancing QDSC technology.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
能源技术
·
纳米科技
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Journal of Physical Chemistry C
·
2017
·
IF 4.536
Qingqing Qiu,Shuo Li,Jingjing Jiang,Dejun Wang,Yanhong Lin,Tengfeng Xie
The growth of anatase TiO2 nanowires (NWs) on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates through hydrothermal reaction has attracted wide attention and research, especially in the case of the solar cells. Actually, the built-in electric field at the anatase TiO2 NWs/FTO interface leads to the photoexcited holes transfer to FTO conductive substrates because the Fermi energy of anatase TiO2 NWs film is higher than that of FTO substrates. Yet efficient transport of photoexcited electron to the FTO conductive substrates is desirable. Hence, the built-in electric field at the pure TiO2 NWs/FTO interface has prevented anatase TiO2 NWs-based solar cells from achieving a higher photoelectric performance. In this work, we elaborately design and construct the N-doped anatase TiO2 NWs/FTO interface with the desirable orientations from FTO toward N-doped anatase TiO2 NWs, which favors the photoexcited electron transfer to the FTO conductive substrates. The surface photovoltage (SPV) and Kelvin probe measurements demostrate that the N-doped anatase TiO2 NWs/FTO interface favors the photoexcited electron transfer to the FTO conductive substrates due to the fact that the orientation of the built-in electric field at the N-doped TiO2 NWs/FTO interface is from FTO toward TiO2. The photoexcited charge transfer dynamics of CdS QD-sensitized TiO2 NWs and N-doped TiO2 NWs electrodes was investigated using the transient photovoltage (TPV) and transient photocurrent (TPC) technique. Benefiting from the desirable interface electric field, CdS-based quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs) with the optimal N doping amount exhibit a remarkable solar energy conversion efficiency of 2.75% under 1 sun illumination, which is 1.46 times enhancement as compared to the undoped reference solar cells. The results reveal that the N-doped anatase TiO2 NWs electrodes have promising applications in solar cells.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
能源科学
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF SOLID STATE ELECTROCHEMISTRY
·
2017
·Vol. 22
·期 2
·347-353
·
IF 2.316
Lan Zhang,Chen Xin,Zhang Sheng,Wu Jihuai
Three-dimensional TiO 2 hierarchical nanostructures (3D-TiO 2 -HNs) containing TiO 2 nanotrees and nest-like hollow spheres were synthesized and used as backbones for CdSe
x
S 1− x
quantum dot (QD) loading. These CdSe
x
S 1− x
QD-sensitized 3D-TiO 2 -HNs were then used as photoelectrodes in the preparation of quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells. As revealed by TEM images, the highly porous 3D-TiO 2 -HNs represent an excellent framework on which to deposit a large number of CdSe
x
S 1− x
QDs in order to form homogeneous and compact CdSe
x
S 1− x
-sensitized layers in photoelectrodes using a spin-assisted successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method (spin-SILAR). Following careful adjustment of the molar ratio of Se 2− to S 2− , the number of spin-SILAR cycles, and the thickness of the CdS passivation layer used, the best-performing QDSC was shown to yield a short-circuit current density of 18.22 mA cm −2 , an open-circuit voltage of 0.520 V, a fill factor of 0.510, and a power conversion efficiency of 4.83%. This high performance is possible because the device is able to absorb a relatively broad range of wavelengths and because charge recombination is suppressed in the device.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
纳米技术
·
能源研究
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
RESEARCH ON CHEMICAL INTERMEDIATES
·
2017
·Vol. 44
·期 2
·1161-1172
·
IF 1.369
Wang Xiaoyan,Feng Wenliang,Wang Wenran,Wang Wei,Zhao Lianjing,Li Yan
Liquid-junction quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSCs) have been facing a long stability issue due to the volatilization and leakage of liquid electrolytes. Solidification of liquid electrolytes was expected to solve the main challenge for the application of QDSCs. Herein, a novel gel electrolyte was developed by solidifying conventional polysulfide aqueous solution with CMS-Na (Sodium Carboxymethyl Starch) as gelator. Due to its superior water absorbing and holding capacity as well as dimensional porous networks, the obtained CMS-Na gel electrolyte exhibits high conductivity and beneficial ion transport. Meanwhile, CMS-Na gel electrolyte could form a passivation layer coated on the surface of QDs/TiO 2 via its strong coordination of carboxylate groups on CMS-Na polymer chains with metal ions, sequentially suppressing the charge recombination between photoanode and electrolyte. As expected, the constructed quasi-solid-state QDSCs exhibited a photoelectric conversion efficiency of 6.32%, which is comparable to that of liquid-junction QDSCs. Notably, light-soaking stability of the resultant QDSCs is significantly improved.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
能源技术
·
化学工程
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
·
2019
·
IF 5.155
Huiyun Wei,Peng Qiu,Mingzeng Peng,Qixin Wu,Sanjie Liu,Yunlai An,Yingfeng He,Yimeng Song,Xinhe Zheng
Surface/interfacial engineering plays a significant role in improving the transport of photo-generated electrons and photovoltaic performance of quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSCs). In this work, a new approach involving introduction of an ultrathin aluminum nitride (AlN) coating (<1 nm) to modify the TiO 2 /quantum dots (QDs)/electrolyte interfaces is explored with the aid of plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) technology. The surface morphology , chemical composition as well as deposition temperature of the AlN coating are studied in detail. Significantly enhanced open-voltage ( V oc ) is achieved after introducing AlN coating, and the 5 ALD cycles of AlN modified CdSe x Te 1−x QDSCs achieve the best efficiency of 9.31% with a V oc of 679 mV, which is higher than the efficiency of 8.27% and V oc of 619 mV for the reference cell. Detailed investigation on the electron transport processes in AlN-modified devices reveals that as-prepared AlN can passivate the surface defects of TiO 2 /QDs while inhibiting photo-generated electron recombination occurring at both TiO 2 /electrolyte and QDs/electrolyte interfaces. This study opens up the door constructing nitrides interface layers to improve the performance of QDSCs.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
物理化学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
·
2016
·
IF 9.407
Zhenwei Ren,Zhiqiang Wang,Rong Wang,Zhenxiao Pan,Xueqing Gong,Xinhua Zhong
Exploring facile modifications on photoanode to suppress charge recombination at photoanode/electrolyte interfaces is an efficient way to improve the performance of quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSCs). Herein, a series of metal oxyhydroxide gels have been overcoated on CdSeTe QD sensitized photoanodes via a hydrolysis and condensation process from the corresponding metal chloride (NbCl5, ZrOCl2, SnCl4, FeCl3, AlCl3, CoCl2, CuCl2, MgCl2, and ZnCl2) aqueous solutions, and their effects on the photovoltaic performance are systematically investigated. Photovoltaic measurement results indicate that the NbCl5 and ZrOCl2 modifications offer a remarkable enhancement in photovoltaic performance, especially in photovoltage. The SnCl4 AlCl3, MgCl2, and ZnCl2 treatments give a negligible influence, and the FeCl3, CuCl2, and CoCl2 treatments present a negative effect on the performance. DFT calculations suggest that different metal oxyhydroxide coatings bring forward distinct densities of empty states at the surface of TiO2, which correspond to different charge recombination kinetics and therefore different photovoltaic performance. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and open-circuit voltage decay (OCVD) measurements confirm further the suppressed charge recombination process after coating with the amorphous Zr or Nb oxyhydroxide layer. In all, an impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 9.73% (Jsc = 21.04 mA/cm2, Voc = 0.720 V, FF = 0.642) was obtained for CdSeTe-based QDSCs with ZrOCl2 modification on photoanode.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
光伏技术
·
物理化学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
SOLAR ENERGY
·
2022
·
IF 7.188
Shuang'an Liu,Senyang Wang,Ying Cao,Chengyang Liang,Shitong Geng,Haipeng Guo,Ying Liu,Wenming Zhang,Ling Li
The catalytic enhancement of counter electrode materials is of an essential move for the overall evolution of QDSSCs. While the commonly used Cu 2 S/Cu counter electrode is easy to be eroded off by sulfur electrolyte, resulting in photoanode pollution. Herein, rough polyhedron Cu/Co@NCF composite is smoothly prepared via hydrothermal and synchronous doping method to replace Cu 2 S/Cu application. With the ZIF-67 as carbon source and morphology support, Cu and Co nanoparticles (NPs) are uniformly embedded in the carbon polyhedron without agglomeration, while the doping of nitrogen makes the composites have better porous structure. Combining the superior catalytic from Cu and Co particles with the electrical conductivity and stability from the carbon frame, the Cu/Co@NCF composite as QDSSCs counter electrode achieves an excellent photoelectric conversion effect (6.66%), close to that of Cu 2 S/Cu (7.29%). With stable and excellent counter electrode performance, Cu/Co@NCF composite unquestionably has the potential to be an alternative material for the CE application of QDSSCs.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
能源科学
·
纳米技术
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
·
2021
·
IF 13.273
Wenhua Li,Shule Zhang,Qianqiao Chen,Qin Zhong
Hierarchical nanostructures with tailored components and architectures have attracted widespread interest in improving the performance of electrocatalysts, but the construction of exquisite structures with remarkable electrocatalytic performance is still challenging. Herein, the hierarchical CoS 2 /NC-RGO composite is designed via a delicate yet facile three-step process, including in-situ growth of ZIF-67, carbonization, and vulcanization. The key preparation step is that GO sheets and the O-20 surfactant are introduced simultaneously into the process of ZIF-67 preparation to obtain the precursor of the hierarchical structure. The composite employed as the counter electrode in the polysulfide electrolyte exhibits a low charge transfer resistance of 1.07 Ω, and the CdS/CdSe co-sensitized quantum dot sensitized solar cell obtains a PCE up to 5.14%. The successive cyclic voltammetry test results prove that it exhibits ultrastrong durability in the polysulfide electrolyte. The excellent performance is mainly due to the well-design of the RGO conductive skeleton and the CS/NC nanoparticles that are uniformly and tightly anchored on the RGO surface. This work provides a new perspective for the preparation of novel and high-efficient hierarchical carbonaceous composite CEs for QDSSCs.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
能源科学
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
Catalysis Science & Technology
·
2022
·Vol. 12
·期 17
·5408-5417
·
IF 6.177
Wenhua Li,Shule Zhang,Bo Peng,Qianqiao Chen,Qin Zhong
Typically, the more intrinsic defects of carbon materials are unfavorable to conductivity, while they are considered to be the active sites of carbon materials in the field of electrocatalysis. Therefore, seeking a balance between conductivity and active sites is the key to improve the catalytic performance of unadulterated carbon materials. Herein, the hierarchical porous carbon (HPC) prepared by the soft-templating approach is accurately adjusted via the facile hydrothermal method using H3BO3 and H3PO3 as structural modulators. The structural characterization indicates that both H3BO3 and H3PO3 reagents can drive the carbon catalyst to produce more intrinsic defects, and H3PO3 can reduce the amount of oxygen-containing groups in the carbon surface to improve conductivity. The structurally optimized HPC used as a counter electrode in polysulfide electrolytes exhibits a charge transfer resistance as low as 2.25 Ω, and the CdS/CdSe quantum dot sensitized solar cell (QDSSC) has a power conversion efficiency of 4.62%. These confirm that the reduction activity towards Sn2− ions in QDSSCs can be effectively improved by adjusting the degree of carbon defects. This report provides a new perspective on intrinsic defects for improving the electrocatalytic activity of the unadulterated carbon material.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
能源化学
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
Nanoscale Research Letters
·
2016
·Vol. 11
·期 1
·1-7
·
IF 2.584
Chen Zeng,Wei Chaochao,Li Shengjun,Diao Chunli,Li Wei,Kong Wenping,Zhang Zhenlong,Zhang Weifeng
SnO 2 nanosheet-structured films were prepared on a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate using ZnO nanosheet as template. The as-prepared SnO 2 nanosheets contained plenty of nano-voids and were generally vertical to the substrate. TiO 2 nanoparticles were homogeneously deposited into the intervals between the SnO 2 nanosheets to prepare a hierarchically structured SnO 2 /TiO 2 hybrid film. The hybrid films were co-sensitized with CdS and CdSe quantum dots. The sensitized solar cells assembled with the SnO 2 /TiO 2 hybrid film showed much higher photoelectricity conversion efficiency than the cells assembled with pure TiO 2 films. The lifetime of photoinduced electron was also investigated through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, which showed that the SnO 2 /TiO 2 hybrid film electrode is as long as the TiO 2 film electrode.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
能源科学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Green Energy & Environment
·
2021
·
IF 8.207
Wei Wang,Yiling Xie,Fangfang He,Yuan Wang,Weinan Xue,Yan Li
High light-harvesting efficiency and low interfacial charge transfer loss are essential for the fabrication of high-efficiency quantum dot-based solar cells (QDSCs). Increasing the thickness of mesoporous TiO 2 films can improve the loading of pre-synthesized QDs on the film and enhance the absorbance of photoanode, but commonly accompanied by the increase in the unfavorable charge recombination due to prolonged electron transmission paths. Herein, we systematically studied the influence of the balance between QD loading and TiO 2 film thickness on the performance of QDSCs. It is found that the relative thin photoanode prepared by the cationic surfactant-assisted multiple deposition procedure has achieved a high QD loading which is comparable to that of the thick photoanode commonly used. Under AM 1.5G illumination, Zn–Cu–In–Se and Zn–Cu–In–S based QDSCs with optimized 11.8 μm photoanodes show the PCE of 10.03% and 8.53%, respectively, which are comparable to the corresponding highest PCE of Zn–Cu–In–Se and Zn–Cu–In–S QDSCs (9.74% and 8.75%) with over 25.0 μm photoanodes. Similarly, an impressive PCE of 6.14% was obtained for the CdSe based QDSCs with a 4.1 μm photoanode, which is slightly lower than the best PCE (7.05%) of reference CdSe QDSCs with 18.1 μm photoanode.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
能源科学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
危险品化学品经营许可证（带存储）