A new approach by inserting a layer of ZnSe QDs was studied to enhance the adsorption of CdS/CdSe QDs resulting in much improved power conversion efficiency. ZnSe, CdS and CdSe QDs were sequentially assembled on a nanocrystalline TiO2 film to prepare a ZnSe/CdS/CdSe sensitized photoelectrode for QD-sensitized solar cell (QDSSC) applications. The results show that the performance of QDSSCs is st...

Synthesizing metal oxides through the sol–gel process provides a convenient way for forming a nanostructured layer in wide band gap semiconductors. In this paper, a unique method of introducing dopants into the metal oxide semiconductor is presented. The doped TiO2 is prepared by adding a Cs2CO3 solution to a nanocrystalline TiO2 solution that is synthesized via a nonhydrolytic sol–gel process....

We report a quantitative comparison of the photoaction spectra, short circuit current densities, and power conversion efficiencies of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) that contain bilayers of nanocrystalline TiO2 (nc-TiO2) and titania inverse opal photonic crystals (PCs). Cells were fabricated with PC/nc-TiO2 and nc-TiO2/PC bilayer films on glass/tin oxide anode of the cell, as well as in a s...

Harvesting energy directly from sunlight using photovoltaic technology is an essential component of the future global energy production programs [1]. Photovoltaic devices, or solar cells, are based on the photoelectric effect, in which the incoming solar photons are absorbed in a sensitized semiconductor material freeing electric charges that are used to energize an external circuit [2]. The so...

the present study used a constant level of citric acid and polyvinyl alcohol and different amounts of nanocrystalline cellulose (cnc) and tio2 nanoparticles to improve the properties of starch film. the effect of different amounts of glycerol was also examined. the results of differential scanning colorimetry demonstrated that the addition of cnc increased the melting and glass transition tempe...

A new nanocrystalline sensitizer with the chemical formula (CH3CH2NH3)PbI3 is synthesized by reacting ethylammonium iodide with lead iodide, and its crystal structure and photovoltaic property are investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis confirms orthorhombic crystal phase with a = 8.7419(2) Å, b = 8.14745(10) Å, and c = 30.3096(6) Å, which can be described as 2 H perovskite structure. Ultravio...

There is intense interest in developing new novel nanostructured photoanodes for water splitting. It is therefore important that methods to analyze the effect of nanostructuring on water splitting yields are developed in order to rationalize the relative merits of this approach for different materials. In this study the dependence of charge separation efficiency (η(sep)) on potential during pho...

A nanocrystalline TiO2 (anatase) nanosheet exposing mainly the (001) crystal faces was tested as photoanode material in dye-sensitized solar cells. The nanosheets were prepared by hydrothermal growth in HF medium. Good-quality thin films were deposited on F-doped SnO2 support from the TiO2 suspension in ethanolic or aqueous media. The anatase (001) face adsorbs a smaller amount of the used dye ...