Quantum dot solar cells

COLL 49

Prashant V. Kamat, pkamat@nd.edu1, Anusorn Kongkanand2, Kevin Tvrdy1, Kensuke Takechi1, and Masaru Kuno, mkuno@nd.edu3. (1) Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Radiation Laboratory, Notre Dame, IN 46556, (2) Notre Dame Radiation Laboratory, University of Notre Dame, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Notre Dame, IN 46556, (3) Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, 251 Nieuwland Science Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556
The photoresponse of TiO2 nanoarrays have been extended into the visible by attaching CdSe quantum dots. Upon bandgap excitation, CdSe quantum dots inject electrons into TiO2 nanoparticles and nanotubes, thus enabling the generation of photocurrent in a photoelectrochemical solar cell. The photosensitization of TiO2 nanoparticles by quantized CdSe nanoparticles is dependent on the particles size as it directly influences the rate of electron transfer. A 3-order enhancement in the charge injection rate was achieved by decreasing the CdSe particle diameter from 8nm to 2.4 nm.. The TiO2-CdSe composite nanostructures have been successfully employed in photoelectrochemical cells for generating photocurrent under visible light excitation. The maximum IPCE (photon-to-charge carrier generation efficiency) obtained with 3 nm diameter CdSe nanoparticles was 35% for particulate TiO2 and 45% for tubular TiO2 morphology.
 

Interfacial Electron Transfer and Solar Energy Conversion: From Molecules to Nanomaterials
2:00 PM-5:40 PM, Sunday, April 6, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Rm. 226, Oral

Division of Colloid & Surface Chemistry

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008