The quantum maximum of solar cells reached 7% which is half way to its
DSSC counterparts. Actively explored issues concerning these semiconductor
sensitized solar cells basically involve the four building blocks of the
devices: wide band-gap material, counter electrode, electrolyte and the
sensitizer. Improvements in such class of solar cells thus result from
optimization studies in general. Since after the seminal paper by O´Regan and
Graetzel which brought the idea of a low cost and highly efficient
photoelectrochemical cells sensitized by dyes, the scientific community was
flooded with enormous findings investigating the working mechanisms, designing
new architectures, and synthesizing novel functional materials for energy
conversion. However, the solar revolution is still floating around waiting for
further advances in science and technology surpassing current success points.
The following shows a preliminary result and an
overview of the current investigations on quantum dot and dye hybrid solar cells
utilizing liquid electrolytes and their implications in the field of energy
conversion. Dye sensitized solar cells have already developed into modules as
low cost alternatives in harvesting light from the sun. It is far from the
reach to the theoretical limit waiting for a novel approach and/or materials
coming into the breakthrough. A possible means is employing nanocrystals
absorbing light in the remaining region of the solar spectra other than the
dyes harvest light. Quantum dots can thus be good candidates harnessing in the
visible and near infrared regions. Typically, CdS, CdSe, AgS, PbS and PbSe
quantum dots synthesized by robust methods colloidally or through the
successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction are shown coupled with dyes to
improve cell performance.
Fig. 1 Proposed schematic of the hybrid solar cell
Fig. 1 Proposed schematic of the hybrid solar cell
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Fig 2 JV preliminary results for QD-Dye Hybrid Solar Cells Using Cobalt-based ElectrolyteThis has been hot some years back, I don't see updates recently. You will find great articles from researchers in EPFL and others.Acknowledgement:
This experiment has been conducted at the Group of Palomares, ICIQ, Tarragona, Spain.
Thanks to: Prof. Emilio Palomares
Dr. John Clifford
Dr. Aurelien Viterisi
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