GUO Pingchun, LUO Jun, WANG Yanxiang

(School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute, Jingdezhen 333403, Jiangxi, China)

Abstract: Quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) have attracted much attention in the past few years because of low cost, easy fabrication, size-dependence bandgap and multiple exciton generation of quantum dots (QDs) and high theoretical photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) merits. For its structure and principle, the counter electrode is one of the most important components of QDSSCs, which has an important impact on the photoelectric conversion efficiency of QDSSCs. Copper sulfide is the most commonly used counter electrode and has the best catalytic performance. This review firstly demonstrates the working principle of QDSSCs. Furthermore, the classification, preparation methods and the advantages and disadvantages of copper sulfide counter electrode are introduced in detail. Finally, the future research direction of copper sulfide counter electrode materials has been predicted.
Key words: quantum dot sensitized solar cells; copper sulfide; counter electrode; research progress; development