Nanostructured Photovoltaic Cell of the Type Titanium Dioxide, Cadmium Sulfide Thin Coating, and Copper Thiocyanate Showing High Quantum Efficiency

Abstract

Nanostructured photovoltaic devices were fabricated using a porous n-type TiO2 film, a thin layer of CdS acting as the absorber, and a transparent p-type CuSCN filling the pores. The cell showed an internal quantum efficiency of ∼100% and significant cell efficiency of 1.3% at 1 sun, as well as high photovoltage (0.85 V) and a filling factor of 0.65. Though the cell concept was already proposed by others, this cell clearly shows a significant performance and it demonstrates the potentiality of such cells made with very thin absorber layers (<10−20 nm) and largely structured porous films (roughness factor >100). Description of component characterization and explanation of identified issues are presented.