title: SnS-quantum dot solar cells using novel TiC counter electrode and organic redox couples.
abstract: Low-cost quantum-dot sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) were fabricated by using the earth-abundant element SnS quantum dot, novel TiC counter electrodes, and the organic disulfide/thiolate (T(2)/T(-)) redox couple, and reached an efficiency of 1.03 %. QDSSCs based on I(-)/I(3)(-), T(2)/T(-), and S(2-)/S(x)(2-) redox couples were assembled to study the role of the redox couples in the regeneration of sensitizers. Charge-extraction results reveal the reasons for the difference in J(SC) in three QDSSCs based on I(-)/I(3)(-), T(2)/T(-), and S(2-)/S(x)(2-) redox couples. The catalytic selectivity of TiC and Pt towards T(2)/T(-) and I(-)/I(3)(-) redox couples was investigated using Tafel polarization and electrochemical impedance analysis. These results indicated that Pt and TiC show a similar catalytic selectivity for I(-)/I(3)(-). However, TiC possesses better catalytic activity for T(2)/T(-) than for I(-)/I(3)(-). These results indicate the great potential of transition metal carbide materials and organic redox couples used in QDSSCs.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemical Engineering, Environmental and Biological Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, PR China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Yihua
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Mingxing
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Linlin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Tingli
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ma