TiO2 Passivation Layer on ZnO Hollow Microspheres for Quantum Dots Sensitized Solar Cells with Improved Light Harvesting and Electron Collection

Li, Zhen; Yu, Libo; Wang, Hao; Yang, Huiwen; Ma, Huan

doi:10.3390/nano10040631

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TiO₂ Passivation Layer on ZnO Hollow Microspheres for Quantum Dots Sensitized Solar Cells with Improved Light Harvesting and Electron Collection

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College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hexi University, Zhangye City 734000, China

Key Laboratory of Hexi Corridor Resources Utilization of Gansu, Hexi University, Zhangye City 734000, China

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Nanomaterials 2020, 10(4), 631; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10040631

Received: 7 March 2020 / Revised: 22 March 2020 / Accepted: 24 March 2020 / Published: 28 March 2020

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Inorganic Nanomaterials)

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Abstract

Light harvesting and electron recombination are essential factors that influence photovoltaic performance of quantum dots sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). ZnO hollow microspheres (HMS) as architectures in QDSSCs are beneficial in improving light scattering, facilitating the enhancement of light harvesting efficiency. However, this advantage is greatly weakened by defects located at the surface of ZnO HMS. Therefore, we prepared a composite hollow microsphere structure consisting of ZnO HMS coated by TiO₂ layer that is obtained by immersing ZnO HMS architectures in TiCl₄ aqueous solution. This TiO₂-passivated ZnO HMS architecture is designed to yield good light harvesting, reduced charge recombination, and longer electron lifetime. As a result, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of QDSSC reaches to 3.16% with an optimal thickness of TiO₂ passivation layer, which is much higher when compared to 1.54% for QDSSC based on bare ZnO HMS. View Full-Text

Keywords: TiO₂ passivation layer; ZnO hollow microspheres; quantum dots sensitized solar cells

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MDPI and ACS Style

Li, Z.; Yu, L.; Wang, H.; Yang, H.; Ma, H. TiO₂ Passivation Layer on ZnO Hollow Microspheres for Quantum Dots Sensitized Solar Cells with Improved Light Harvesting and Electron Collection. Nanomaterials 2020, 10, 631. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10040631

AMA Style

Li Z, Yu L, Wang H, Yang H, Ma H. TiO₂ Passivation Layer on ZnO Hollow Microspheres for Quantum Dots Sensitized Solar Cells with Improved Light Harvesting and Electron Collection. Nanomaterials. 2020; 10(4):631. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10040631

Chicago/Turabian Style

Li, Zhen, Libo Yu, Hao Wang, Huiwen Yang, and Huan Ma. 2020. "TiO₂ Passivation Layer on ZnO Hollow Microspheres for Quantum Dots Sensitized Solar Cells with Improved Light Harvesting and Electron Collection" Nanomaterials 10, no. 4: 631. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10040631

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TiO₂ Passivation Layer on ZnO Hollow Microspheres for Quantum Dots Sensitized Solar Cells with Improved Light Harvesting and Electron Collection

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