Performance enhancement of quantum dot-sensitized solar cells based on polymer nano-composite catalyst

Polymer nano-composite composed of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) and TiO2 nano-particles was deposited on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate and applied as an alternative to Au counter electrode of quantum dot-sensitized solar cell (QDSC). It became surface-richer with the increase in nano-particle amount so that catalytic reaction was increased by widened catalytic interface. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry clearly demonstrated the enhancement of polymer nano-composite counter electrode. A QDSC based on polymer nano-composite counter electrode showed 0.56 V of V-OC, 12.24 mA cm(-2) of J(SC), 0.57 of FF, and 3.87% of efficiency and this photovoltaic performance was higher than that of QDSC based on Au counter electrode (3.75%). (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.