| Author: | Chen, Xiaoting |
| Title: | Quantum dot sensitized solar cells based on different counter electrodes |
| Degree: | M.Sc. |
| Year: | 2014 |
| Subject: | Quantum dots. Solar cells Electrodes. Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations |
| Department: | Faculty of Engineering |
| Pages: | xvii, 104 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm. |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | Due to the energy crisis caused by the oil supply shortage, the renewable energy technology has raised increasing attentions. Among all the alternative energy including wind, nuclear, tidal and geothermal energy, solar energy has emerged as a potential and marketable competitor. As a type of third generation photovoltaic (PV) devices, quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) are considered to have the greatest potential owing to their notable advantages, such as easy fabrication and low cost. For the major part of QDSSCs, the development of photo-anodes, electrolyte and counter electrodes (CEs) are also attracting more research efforts. In this dissertation, the quantum dot-sensitized solar cells were fabricated with cadmium sulfide (CdS) quantum dots as sensitizer, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles as the semiconductor layer and polysulfide solvent as the electrolyte. The technological process parameters were optimized respectively to improve the photovoltaic performances of CdS quantum dots sensitized solar cells. Apart from the optimization of photoanode and the electrolyte, different types of counter electrodes were also fabricated, which include the copper sulfide (CU2S), carbon (C), cobalt sulfide (CoS)/carbon and manganese sulfide (MnS) carbon CEs. In this research, MnS was first applied to the counter electrode for QDSSCs. We found this material had good catalytic activity toward sulfide / polysulfide redox couple. This novel counter electrode was prepared by successive ionic layer deposition reaction (SILAR) on active carbon/carbon black mixture. The active carbon/carbon black mixture film provides higher electronic conductivity, a large surface area for the loading of MnS nanoparticles, and also an ideal stability in polysulfide electrolyte. This composite CE possessed higher catalytic activity and better cell performance in the CdS QDSSC compared to both carbon and cobalt sulfide (CoS)/carbon CEs-based QDSSCs. Both the morphologies and photovoltaic performances of the CEs and assembled solar cells were studied. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b27489620.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 3.5 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
Copyright Undertaking
As a bona fide Library user, I declare that:
- I will abide by the rules and legal ordinances governing copyright regarding the use of the Database.
- I will use the Database for the purpose of my research or private study only and not for circulation or further reproduction or any other purpose.
- I agree to indemnify and hold the University harmless from and against any loss, damage, cost, liability or expenses arising from copyright infringement or unauthorized usage.
By downloading any item(s) listed above, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the copyright undertaking as stated above, and agree to be bound by all of its terms.
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/7499