N, S-doped carbon quantum dot for long persistence phosphor assisted all-weather solar cells

Traditional solar cells can only work during the daytime. The solar cells that can harvest energy in all weather conditions are favorable to solving the energy crisis and ecological issues. We present a novel quantum dot-sensitized all-weather solar cell (AW-SC) that can harvest energy in both day and night conditions. The AW-SC consists of a TiO2/long persistence phosphor (LPP) photoanode sensitized by nitrogen and sulfur co-doped carbon quantum dots (N, S-CQDs) and a Pt counter anode. The N and S doping reduces the band gap of CQDs and enhances the charge injection into the TiO2 layer, resulting in better solar cell performance. The LPP enables the AW-SC to store unabsorbed light from visible to infrared wavelengths and emit green fluorescence to excite the N, S-CQDs in the dark. The optimal AWSC achieves a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.7% in the dark.(c) 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Researchers have developed a novel quantum dot-sensitized all-weather solar cell that can generate energy during both day and night. The cell uses nitrogen and sulfur doping to improve charge injection efficiency and utilizes a long persistence phosphor to store unabsorbed light and excite the quantum dots at night.