ABSTRACT
A quantum dot sensitized solar cell based on a porous ZrO(2) film, sensitized with CdSe quantum dots using CdS as an intermediate layer is presented. We observe electron injection from photo-excited quantum dots into the ZrO(2), which is unexpected due to the much higher conduction band edge (closer to the vacuum level) of bulk ZrO(2) compared to TiO(2).
ABSTRACT
Enhanced light to electric power conversion efficiency of photovoltaic cells with a low absorbance was achieved using waveguide integration. We present a proof of concept using a very thin dye-sensitized solar cell which absorbed only a small fraction of the light at normal incidence. The glass substrate in conjunction with the solar cells reflecting back contact formed a planar waveguide, which lead to more than four times higher conversion efficiency compared to conventional illumination at normal incidence. This illumination concept leads to a new type of multi-junction PV systems based on enforced spectral splitting along the waveguide.