Amplification in Light Energy Conversion at Q-CdTe Sensitized TiO2 Photonic Crystal, Photoelectrochemical Stability in Se2- Electrolyte, and Size-Dependent Type II Q-CdTe/CdSe Formation

Abstract

This study investigates the ability of Se2- redox electrolyte to separate the photoholes and stabilize Q-CdTe quantum dot solar cell with a liquid junction. We examined the photophysical and photoelectrochemical behaviors of Q-CdTe in two sizes, green-emitting dots of 2.3-2.7 nm diameter and red-emitting dots of 4 nm diameter, in the presence of alkaline Se2- electrolyte prepared under inert atmosphere. Photoelectrochemical, absorbance, emission and emission quenching measurements revealed the presence of size dependence in Se2- surface binding to Q-CdTe, growth of type II Q-CdTe/CdSe, and stability in the photoelectrochemical cell. Emission quenching measurements show that Se2- scavenges the Q-CdTe photohole, with mechanisms that depended on size and quencher concentration. Binding of Se2- to green-emitting Q-CdTe occurred with a greater binding constant compared to the red-emitting dots, resulting in formation of type II Q-CdTe/CdSe at the smaller core indicated in red-shifted absorbance and emission spectra with incremental Se2- addition at room temperature. Photoelectrochemical measurements acquired at Q-CdTe sensitized nc-TiO2 and TiO2 inverse opal with a stop band at 600 nm, 600-i-TiO2-o, in Se2- electrolyte confirmed this redox species ability to scavenge the photohole and to protect Q-CdTe against fast photoanodic dissolution, with greater stability observed for the larger dots. Gains in the photon-to-current conversion efficiency attributed to light trapping were measured at Q-CdTe sensitized 600-i-TiO2-o relative to nc-TiO2. © 2016 American Chemical Society.