Kumar, P. Naresh and Narayanan, Remya and Laha, Subhajit and Deepa, Melepurath and Srivastava, Avanish K. (2016) Photoelectrochromic cell with a CdS quantum dots/graphitic-nanoparticles sensitized anode and a molybdenum oxide cathode. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 153. pp. 138-147. ISSN 0927-0248

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Abstract

Low cost photoelectrochromic (PEC) cells with a cadmium sulfide (CdS) quantum dots/graphitic-nanoparticles (g-NPs) sensitized titanium oxide (TiO2) film as the photoanode, an electrodeposited molybdenum oxide (MoO3) film as the electrochromic counter electrode and an aqueous electrolyte were assembled for the first time. The oversimplified but surprisingly less used approach of incorporating g-NPs (10-50 nm in dimensions) in the photovoltaic film increases the light harvesting ability of the TiO2/CdS film, by the virtue of their high electrical conductivity and a suitably poised work function at 4 eV, which maximized electron transfer and transport to the current collector. The proportion of the g-NPs in the film was optimized on the basis of solar cell performances, and the PEC cell with the following configuration: TiO2/g-NPs (90 s)/CdS-S2--MoO3 delivered a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.59% and a short circuit current density of similar to 17 mA cm(-2), which were 1.35 times higher than the values obtained for a similar cell with a TiO2/CdS photoanode. Under 1 sun illumination and short-circuit conditions, the electrons from the photoanode reach MoO3 via external circuit and it colors deep blue. The transmittance of the device underwent a change from similar to 58% to similar to 27% at 630 nm and bleached under dark. The transmission modulation varied between 24% and 31% over a wide wavelength range of 500840 nm. The optical change was reversible, demonstrating that energy conversion and saving can be combined efficiently using an inexpensive cell, and thus it has the potential to function as a highly affordable self-powered window.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Copyright for this article belongs to M/s Elsevier.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Photoelectrochromic Molybdenum oxide Graphitic Efficiency
Subjects:	Energy Fuels Materials Science Applied Physics/Condensed Matter
Divisions:	UNSPECIFIED
Depositing User:	Dr. Rajpal Walke
Date Deposited:	12 Apr 2018 06:56
Last Modified:	12 Apr 2018 06:56
URI:	http://npl.csircentral.net/id/eprint/2323

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