1 research outputs found
Amplification in Light Energy Conversion at QβCdTe Sensitized TiO<sub>2</sub> Photonic Crystal, Photoelectrochemical Stability in Se<sup>2β</sup> Electrolyte, and Size-Dependent Type II QβCdTe/CdSe Formation
This study investigates the ability
of Se<sup>2β</sup> redox
electrolyte to separate the photoholes and stabilize Q-CdTe quantum
dot solar cell with a liquid junction. We examined the photophysical
and photoelectrochemical behaviors of Q-CdTe in two sizes, green-emitting
dots of 2.3β2.7 nm diameter and red-emitting dots of 4 nm diameter,
in the presence of alkaline Se<sup>2β</sup> electrolyte prepared
under inert atmosphere. Photoelectrochemical, absorbance, emission
and emission quenching measurements revealed the presence of size
dependence in Se<sup>2β</sup> surface binding to Q-CdTe, growth
of type II Q-CdTe/CdSe, and stability in the photoelectrochemical
cell. Emission quenching measurements show that Se<sup>2β</sup> scavenges the Q-CdTe photohole, with mechanisms that depended on
size and quencher concentration. Binding of Se<sup>2β</sup> to green-emitting Q-CdTe occurred with a greater binding constant
compared to the red-emitting dots, resulting in formation of type
II Q-CdTe/CdSe at the smaller core indicated in red-shifted absorbance
and emission spectra with incremental Se<sup>2β</sup> addition
at room temperature. Photoelectrochemical measurements acquired at
Q-CdTe sensitized nc-TiO<sub>2</sub> and TiO<sub>2</sub> inverse opal
with a stop band at 600 nm, 600-i-TiO<sub>2</sub>-o, in Se<sup>2β</sup> electrolyte confirmed this redox species ability to scavenge the
photohole and to protect Q-CdTe against fast photoanodic dissolution,
with greater stability observed for the larger dots. Gains in the
photon-to-current conversion efficiency attributed to light trapping
were measured at Q-CdTe sensitized 600-i-TiO<sub>2</sub>-o relative
to nc-TiO<sub>2</sub>