Recent advances in critical materials for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells: a review

Abstract

Quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs) present promising cost-effective alternatives to conventional silicon solar cells due to their distinctive properties such as simplicity in fabrication, possibility to realize light absorption in wide solar spectrum regions, and theoretical conversion efficiency up to 44%. This review highlights recent developments in critical materials including quantum dots, photoanodes, counter electrodes (CEs), and electrolytes for QDSC applications. Among them, electron recombination at the photoanode/electrolyte interface limits the evolution of high-efficiency QDSCs, therefore the optimized construction of quantum dots, the various microtopographies of wide bandgap semiconductors (TiO₂, ZnO) as well as emerging CEs having good electrocatalytic activity are elaborated in this paper. We argue that these key factors can provide design guidelines for future successful applications and significantly promote the development of QDSCs. Liquid, quasi-solid-state, and solid-state electrolytes for QDSCs are summarized, aiming at enhancing the long-term stability of QDSCs. This review presented below gives a succinct summary of materials for QDSC applications, with a conclusion and future prospects section.