Significantly Enhanced Open Circuit Voltage and Fill Factor of Quantum Dot Sensitized Solar Cells by Linker Seeding Chemical Bath Deposition

We have significantly improved open circuit voltage and fill factor with a Pt counter electrode of quasi-solid state quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) by achieving compact coverage of QDs on a TiO2 matrix through a linker seeding chemical bath deposition process, leading to 4.23% power conversion efficiency, nearly two times that with conventionally deposited control photoanode. The distinguishing characteristic of our linker seeding synthesis is that it does not rely on surface adsorption of precursor ions directly on TiO2 (T2O2 similar to Cdx) but rather nucleates special ionic seeds on a compact linker layer (TiO2-COORS-Cdx), thereby resulting in a full and even coverage of QDs on the TiO2 surface in large area. We have shown that the compact coverage not only helps to suppress recombination from electrolyte but also gives rise to better charge transport through the QD layer. This linker seeding chemical bath deposition method is general and expected to reinforce the hope of quasi-solid state QDSSCs as a strong competitor of dye-sensitized solar cells after further optimization and development.