Co-sensitized TiO₂ photoelectrodes by multiple semiconductors (Pbs/Pb_0.05Cd_0.95S/Cds)to enhance the performance of a solar cell

The effect of PbS/Pb_0.05Cd_0.95S/CdS co-sensitization on the quantum dot-sensitized solar cell performance have been investigated. In this research, a TiO₂ nanoparticles was prepared by a sol gel method and immobilized to the FTO (fluorine tin oxide) substrate by dip coating technique. The formation of PbS, Pb_0.05Cd_0.95S, and CdS quantum dots (QDs) sensitized TiO₂ photoelectrode was carried out by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. The as-prepared materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Our photoelectro chemical evaluation indicated that the photocurrent of PbS/Pb_0.05Cd_0.95S/CdS multiple semiconductor (0.363 mA/cm²) is higher than the CdSsingle sensitizer (0.190 mA/cm²), resulting an increase in a photocurrent of 91%. Under 3.5 mW/cm² illumination, we found that this photoelectrodes have an optimum short-circuit photocurrent density (I_sc) of 0.429 mA/cm² and energy conversion eciency of 1.42%, which is 160% higher than that of a CdS single sensitizer (0.54%). The excellent photoelectro chemical properties of our photoanode, suggest that the TiO₂ lms co-sensitized by PbS/Pb_0.05Cd_0.95S/CdS quantum dots have potential application in a solar cells.