A novel CdTe/Eu-MOF photoanode for application in quantum dot-sensitized solar cell to improve power conversion efficiency

Abstract

The quantum dots (QDs) and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as the efficient nanomaterials for light harvesting, photocatalysis, and photovoltaic applications. Here, the application of a composite of CdTe QDs with a europium-MOF was demonstrated as a novel photoanode to achieve the improvement in the short circuit current density from 19.8 (CdTe QD) to 28.45 mA/cm(2) (CdTe QD/EuMOF). So does power conversion efficiency (PCE) between the former (1.67%) and the latter (3.02%). This 1.35% of difference (or absolute enhancement) in the PCE can be attributed to an enhanced surface area and increased photon absorption capacity. (C) 2017 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.