Highly efficient quasi-solid-state quantum-dot-sensitized solar cell based on hydrogel electrolytes

Chemically crosslinked polyacrylamide-based hydrogel has been first used as the polymer matrix to prepare quasi-solid-state polysulfide electrolyte for CdS/CdSe co-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs). The room temperature ionic conductivity of the gel electrolyte reaches 0.093 S.cm(-1). QDSCs based on this quasi-solid-state electrolyte can present up to 4.0% of light-to-electricity conversion efficiency. Meanwhile, the interfacial recombination at TiO2/electrolyte interface of the cell is also investigated by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.