Boosting Power Conversion Efficiency of Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells by Integrating Concentrating Photovoltaic Concept with Double Photoanodes

Abstract

Abstract Despite great efforts dedicated to enhance power conversion efficiency (PCE) of quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) in the past two decades, the efficiency of QDSSCs is still far behind its theoretical value. The present approaches for improving PCE are mainly focused on tailoring the bandgap of QDs to broadening light-harvesting and optimizing interfaces of component parts. Herein, a new solar cell architecture is proposed by integrating concentrating solar cell (CPV) concept into QDSSCs with double photoanode design. The Cu2S mesh is used as a counter electrode and sandwiched between two photoanodes. This designed battery structure can increase the PCE by 260% compared with a single photoanode. With the most extensively used CdS/CdSe QD sensitizers, a champion PCE of 8.28% (V oc = 0.629 V, J sc = 32.247 mA cm−2) was achieved. This is mainly due to the increase in J sc due to the double photoanode design and adoption of the CPV concept. In addition, another reason is that concentrated sunshine illumination induced a photothermal effect, accelerating the preceding chemical reactions associated with the conversion of polysulfide species. The cell fabrication and design reported here provides a new insight for further development of QDSSCs.

Keywords

• Quantum dot-sensitized solar cells
• Concentrating photovoltaic
• Double photoanodes
• Mesh counter electrode