Preparation and properties TiO₂-coated quantum dots for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

One of the applications of quantum dots is quantum dot-sensitized solar cells. At present, however, their energy conversion efficiency is not high enough for commercialization. One of the reasons is the loss of energies when electron transfers from quantum dots to TiO₂ particles. In order to avoid this energy loss, we coated TiO₂ directly on the surface of the quantum dots using titanium alkoxide. Photoluminescence efficiency of the TiO₂-coated quantum dots is only slightly reduced. This indicates that the surface state of the quantum dots is maintained after TiO₂ coating.