A novel, PbS quantum dot-Sensitized solar cell structure with TiO2- fMWCNTS nano-composite filled meso-porous anatase TiO2 photoanode

Abstract

The research deals with fabrication of a novel quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSSC) architecture. Three devices, device 1, 2 and 3 with TiO2-fMWCNTs nano composite filled meso porous anatase TiO2 photoanodes, sensitized with PbS by 10, 15 and 20 SILAR cycles respectively were prepared. Decrease in optical band gap has been observed by increasing the SILAR cycles for PbS sensitization. QDSSC with TiO2-fMWCNTS nano-composite filled meso-porous anatase TiO2 photoanode showed a significant energy conversion efficiency of 3.8%, 5% and 5.6% for device 1, 2 and 3 respectively under the simulated light of 100 mW cm−2 with AM 1.5 filter. EIS analysis revealed that the device with highest power conversion efficiency has highest charge combination resistance (Rcr) 2852 Ω.