Development of quantum dot solar cells for clean energy

• Main Author: Alexander John Potter
• Other Authors: School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Electrical and electronic engineering::Power electronics
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/46223
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This report compiles all the works done by the author in relation to his Final Year Project choice as part of the course requirements of the School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering at Nanyang Technological University, and covers one main project. In the main project, a CdSe Quantum Dot Solar Cell was fabricated onto pieces of conducting glass and the photocurrent characterised, with attempts to compare differences generated by changes in the fabrication process. Initial testing on the first batch produced expected characterisation curves, albeit with low output levels, but later batches fabricated proved too unstable to be characterised, due to cracks occurring across the cell surface layer, increasing area resistance to the point of rendering the cells unusable. This later occurred with the first batch produced, and was assumed to occur due to a lack of adhesive substance. Due to time constraints no such chemical could be procured in time, so an electrolyte consisting of a Sulphur, Sodium Sulphide and Potassium Chloride dissolved in a methanol/deionised water solution was applied to the surface and then sandwiched with a second piece of conduction glass acting as a counter electrode. Measurements taken using a multimeter showed a clear difference in the voltage generation of the cell in non-sun conditions (~3mV) and when exposed to sunlight (~30mV). However, characterisation of the cell proved unsuccessful, due to issues with the size and shape of the cell and methods used to sandwich the two pieces of conducting glass together.