Quantum dot photoelectrochemical solar cells based on TiO<sub>2</sub>-SrTiO<sub>3</sub> heterostructure nanotube array scaffolds

doi:10.1007/s12200-011-0211-4

Front Optoelec Chin

2011, Vol. 4

Issue (1) : 93-102 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12200-011-0211-4

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Quantum dot photoelectrochemical solar cells based on TiO₂-SrTiO₃ heterostructure nanotube array scaffolds

Jun ZHANG¹(

), Chengchun TANG²

1. Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics (WNLO) and College of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China; 2. School of Material Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China

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Abstract

Titania-Strontium titanate (TiO₂-SrTiO₃) nanotube array with heterostructure has been demonstrated as an efficient scaffold applied to quantum dot photoelectrochemical solar cells. Quantum dot CdS serviced as solar light absorbent is chosen as an example to illustrate superior performance and deposited on scaffolds by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) technique. The photoelectrochemical performance of such solar cell is strongly dependent on the structure of heterostructured scaffolds. Only well-dispersed SrTiO₃ nanocrystallites on TiO₂ could improve the overall conversion efficiency. Transient absorption spectra and photoelectrochemical measurements show that the formation of SrTiO₃ energy gradient between TiO₂ and electrolyte slows down the rate of electronic injection from 19.3 × 10⁸ to 6.30 × 10⁸ s^-1, while it greatly increases electronic collection efficiency via reduced charge recombination. Cadmium sulfide (CdS) quantum dots used to decorate TiO₂-SrTiO₃ (1 h hydrothermal treatment) electrode exhibits superior photoelectrochemical performance with nearly 70% increase in external quantum efficiency at 460 nm and also in overall cell conversion efficiency. The photostability and high efficiency properties of TiO₂-SrTiO₃ composites would enable its practical application in solar energy conversion devices.

Keywords quantum dot heterostructure nanotube array photoelectrochemistry TiO₂

Corresponding Author(s): ZHANG Jun,Email:jzhangnano@mail.hust.edu.cn

Issue Date: 05 March 2011

Cite this article:

Jun ZHANG,Chengchun TANG. Quantum dot photoelectrochemical solar cells based on TiO₂-SrTiO₃ heterostructure nanotube array scaffolds[J]. Front Optoelec Chin, 2011, 4(1): 93-102.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/foe/EN/10.1007/s12200-011-0211-4
https://academic.hep.com.cn/foe/EN/Y2011/V4/I1/93

Fig.1 Illustration to synthesis of TiO-SrTiO heterostructure nanotube arrays and deposite CdS quantum dots on the surface by SILAR technique

Fig.2 SEM images of different scaffolds. (a) Anatase TiO nanotube arrays by electrochemical anodization; and TiO-SrTiO heterostructure nanotube arrays after hydrothermal treatment with (b) 1h and (c) 2h (Ref. [], published with permission)

Fig.3 Photographs of TiO-SrTiO (1h) nanotube array electrodes before (upper) and after (below) CdS deposition

Fig.4 Diffuse reflectance absorption spectra of TiO-SrTiO electrodes following different cycle’s deposition of CdS quantum dots

Fig.5 XRD patterns of TiO and TiO-SrTiO heterostructure nanotube arrays with different hydrothermal duration before and after CdS modification

Tab.1 Fitted kinetic parameters of the time-resolved transient absorption bleaching recovery for CdS-SiO, CdS-TiO, and CdS-TiO-SrTiO films on OTE

Fig.6 Time-resolved transient absorption spectra of (a) film of CdS quantum dots on SiO colloid film on OTE; (b) TiO and (c) TiO-SrTiO nanotube films coated with CdS on OTE; (d) the bleaching recovery normalized to peak response (Ref. [], published with permission)

Fig.7 Current versus time measurements of electrodes of (a) CdS-TiO, and CdS deposited TiO-SrTiO heterostructure nanotube arrays with (b) 1h and (c) 2h hyderothermal duration

Fig.8 - characteristic curves of QDSCs based on TiO nanotube and SrTiO-TiO heterostructures, respectively

Tab.2 Cell performance parameters of QDSCs based on two electrodes, corresponding to - characteristic curves in Fig. 7

Fig.9 (a) IPCE and (b) diffuse reflectance UV-vis absorption spectra of CdS quantum dots deposited TiO and TiO-SrTiO heterostructure nanotube array electrodes

Fig.10 (a) Open circuit potential response to on-off visible light illumination and (b) electron lifetimes versus open circuit potential of CdS-TiO and CdS-TiO-SrTiO electrodes

Fig.11 Schematic energy diagram of CdS quantum dot sensitized TiO nanotube arrays in the absence and precence of SrTiO nanoparticle coating

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