Different hierarchical nanostructured carbons as counter electrodes for Cds quantum dot solar cells

CdS quantum dot sensitized solar cells based on TiO ₂ photoanode and nanostructured carbon as well as Pt as counter electrodes using iodide/triiodide and polysulfide electrolytes were fabricated to improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of solar cells. Compared with conventional Pt (η = 1.05%) and CMK-3 (η = 0.67%) counter electrodes, hollow core-mesoporous shell carbon (HCMSC) counter electrode using polysulfide electrolyte exhibits much larger incident photon to current conversion efficiency (IPCE = 27%), photocurrent density (J _sc = 4.31 mA.cm ^-2) and power conversion efficiency (η = 1.08%), which is basically due to superb structural characters of HCMSC such as large specific surface area, high mesoporous volume, and 3D interconnected well-developed hierarchical porosity network, which facilitate fast mass transfer with less resistance and enable HCMSC to have highly enhanced catalytic activity toward the reduction of electrolyte shuttle.