Stable and efficient PbS colloidal quantum dot solar cells incorporating low-temperature processed carbon paste counter electrodes

• Colloidal quantum dot (CQD) solar cells with a ZnO/PbS-TBAI/PbS-EDT/carbon structure were prepared using a solution processing technique. A commercially available carbon paste that was processed at low-temperatures was used as a counter electrode in place of expensive noble metals, such as Au or Ag, which are used in traditional PbS CQD solar cells. These CQD solar cells exhibited remarkable photovoltaic performance with a short circuit density (Jsc) of 25.6 mA/cm2, an open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.45 V, a fill factor (FF) of 51.8% and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) as high as 5.9%. A reference device with an Au counter electrode had a PCE of 6.0%. The PCE of the carbon-containing CQD solar cell remained stable for 180 days when tested in ambient atmosphere, while the PCE of the Au-containing CQD solar cell lost 48.3% of its original value. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) demonstrated that holes within the PbS CQD were effectively transported to the carbon counter electrode.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Materialkemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Materials Chemistry (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Carbon paste

Counter electrode

PbS quantum dot

Solar cell

Electrochemical electrodes

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

Electrodes

Nanocrystals

Open circuit voltage

Quantum efficiency

Semiconductor quantum dots

Solar power generation

Temperature

Carbon counter electrodes

Carbon pastes

Colloidal quantum dots

Counter electrodes

Pbs colloidal quantum dots

Photovoltaic performance

Power conversion efficiencies

Solution-processing

Solar cells

carbon

colloid

electrochemistry

electrode

energy efficiency

low temperature

performance assessment

photovoltaic system

quantum mechanics

solar power

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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