Fabrication and Characterization of a Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cell

Abstract

The design and characterization of a photovoltaic device employing CdSe nanocrystals sensitized to TiO2 nanotubes is described. The project was divided into three major objectives: (1) fabrication of anodically-oxidized, highly-ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays, (2) deposition of CdSe nanocrystals onto the nanotube arrays, and (3) construction of an all solid-state photovoltaic from these components. Characterization at each stage was conducted using a variety of techniques to determine structure, elemental composition, and device performance. The final product was a robust, working photovoltaic device with a measured efficiency of 0.015%.