Quantum Dot Sensitized Solar Cells

In response to rapidly increasing global energy demand, the development of alternative energy sources to fossil fuels has emerged as one of the most urgent technological challenges. Solar energy, which represents a nearly unlimited source of clean power, has been considered as one of the most promising new energy sources. In addition to the current success of silicon based solar cells, quantum dot sensitized solar cells have shown great potential as next generation, high performance, and low-cost photovoltaics due to the outstanding optoelectronic properties of quantum dots and their multiple exciton generation (MEG) capability. This review focuses on recent advances in quantum dot sensitized solar cells, including the synthesis of quantum dots via colloidal chemistry and chemical bath deposition (CBD), novel quantum dot nanostructures for solar energy conversion, high performance electrolyte, and the electronic interaction between quantum dots and electron acceptors. In addition, the current technical difficulties facing quantum dot sensitized solar cells are summarized, and a perspective on the future of the field is offered.