CdTe Quantum Dot Synthesis and Application in Solar Cell (QDSSC’s)

We have synthesized CdTe (Cadmium Telluride) quantum dots and will incorporate it into the DSSC
design in order to implement a “Quantum Dot Sensitized Solar Cell” (QDSSC). We aim to use the QD’s to
achieve wider range of absorption of the solar spectrum.

Chemicals and Procedure:

The chemicals used are as follows:

1. Cadmium Chloride as the cadmium ion source.

2. Trisodium Citrate Dihydrate as a cd2+ stabilizing agent.
3. Sodium Tellurite as the tellurium ion source.
4. 3-Mercaptopropionic Acid as the stabilizing ligand.
5. Sodium Borohydride as the reducing agent (reducing TeO 32- to Te2-).

It is a facile microwave based procedure which gives us hydrophilic quantum dots which are stable in
solution for more than 3 weeks on an average. They most probably have a negative (-) charge on the
surface, due to capping by 3-mercaptopropionic acid (3-MPA), which has both a thiol end and a
carboxylic end. The thiol end attaches to the Cadmium ion leaving the COOH group exposed in solution.
This COOH group will give out an H+ into solution giving a COO- charge on the surface of the 3-MPA
stabilized CdTe quantum dot.

Results that have been achieved till now include:

1. Visible Absorption range from 414nm to 620nm.

2. Band gap from 2.1eV to around 2.8eV.
3. Novel and simple attachment method to ZnO nanorods.

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 SCH2
SCH2 SCH2
CH2C
SCH2CH2C OOH CH2CSCH2
CH2COOH OOHCH C
2
SCH2
OOH
CdTe SCH
OOH 2
CH2C Quantu CH2C
SCH2 SCH2
OOH m Dot OOH
CH2C CH2C
SCH
OOH 2 SCH
OOH2
CH2C
SCH
OOH 2 SCHCH
2
2C

CH2CSCH OOH 5nm

2 SCH2CH2C
OOHCH C SCH2 CH COOH Figure 2: TEM image of 550nm Quantum Dot
2
CH2C 2
OOH OOH
OOH
Figure 1: Schematic of CdTe Quantum Dot in Solution

We can tune the absorption peak by varying temperature, time and 3-MPA concentration. Given below
are graphs which help visualize how time and 3-MPA concentration help in achieving different
absorption peaks.

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 Absorption Peak Variation with Time

(MW Low  10 mins and 70 mins)

Figure 3: Absorption Peak Variation with Time (in MW Low Mode)

Figure 4: Absorption Peak Variation with MPA Concentration (in Oven at 105 oC)

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 Figure 5: Different Sized CdTe Quantum Dots Showing Fluorescence

The as synthesized CdTe quantum dots were then deposited on ZnO surface using a simple technique,
which resulted in a good uniform coverage of the ZnO nanorod surface as shown in the SEM images
below:

Figure 6: CdTe QD on ZnO Nanorod Surface (SEM -- 23rd Feb 2011)

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 Figure 7: CdTe QD on ZnO Nanorod Surface (SEM -- 16th Feb 2011)

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