TiO2 nanotubes with a ZnO thin energy barrier for improved current efficiency of CdSe quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells

This paper reports the formation of a thin ZnO energy barrier between a CdSe quantum dot (Q dots) sensitizer and TiO2 nanotubes (TONTs) for improved current efficiency of Q dot-sensitized solar cells. The formation of a ZnO barrier between TONTs and the Q dot sensitizer increased the short-circuit current under illumination and also reduced the dark current in a dark environment. The power conversion efficiency of Q dot-sensitized TONT solar cells increased by 25.9% in the presence of the ZnO thin layer due to improved charge-collecting efficiency and reduced recombination.