Abstract:
Colloidal quantum dots offer a number of advantages such as higher molar extinction coefficients,
multiple exciton generation and tunable energy band gap due to the quantum confinement effect. They are
providing a powerful platform for the development of several optoelectronic devices including solar cells,
infrared detectors and light emitting diodes. Semiconductor quantum dot - sensitized solar cells have received
more attention in recent years due to their cost - effectiveness as well as ease of fabrication. Recently, several
types of quantum dots have been studied in quantum dot - sensitized solar cell applications such as CdS, CdSe,
CdTe, CdSeTe, PbSe, PbS etc. In this work, TiO2 nanoporous layer has been sensitized with Hg - doped PbS
quantum dots by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. Effect of surface charge on
TiO2 electrode has been studied by changing the amount of triethanolamine (TEA) in the cationic precursor
solution during the SILAR process. A maximum efficiency of 4.25 % has been obtained with an open - circuit
voltage of 626.1 mV and a short - circuit current density of 10.91 mA cm-2 corresponding to 0.8 M TEA in the
cationic precursor solution.
