Development and characterization of quantum-dot solar cells

• Main Author: Lau, Norman Yan Feng.
• Other Authors: Ang Diing Shenp
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Electrical and electronic engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/49659
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This report presents the Development and Characterization of Quantum Dot Solar Cells in relation to the Final Year Project as part of the course requirement of the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. This main project is divided into two parts. The initial part of the report will describe the process of fabrication of samples with the use of ITO glass and TiO2 solution. The samples were fabricated using the glass rod brushing method and also using the spin coater to create a TiO2 layer on the ITO glass The TiO2 solution was mixed with a ratio of 0.5g of TiO2 powder to 2.5ml of solvent, the solvent has a ratio of 70% chloroform and 30% ethanol. The samples fabricated using spin coater was found to be much better than using the glass rod brushing method. The samples with TiO2 layer were then drop cast with dye solutions and quantum dot solutions and left to air dry for about 24 hrs. Methanol and deionised water were used as a solvent for mixing Sulphur, Sodium Sulfide and Potassium Chloride to produce the electrolyte. The electrolyte is an essential material to combine the TiO2 layer absorbed with quantum dot solution together with a counter electrode to produce a solar cell. The fabricated solar cell is then characterized by using the solar simulator, which is able to produce 1 sun condition to simulate the real solar energy. The solar cells are tested with no light and with light conditions and the graphs and test data were obtained.