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Tailoring the energy band gap of alloyed Pb1−xZnxS quantum dots for photovoltaic applications

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Abstract

In this work, tailoring the energy band gap (Eg) of ternary alloyed Pb1−xZnxS quantum dots (QDs) for photovoltaic applications has been investigated. Different zinc molar ratios (x: 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4) in Pb1−xZnxS QDs were adsorbed onto TiO2 (titania) nanoporous films using sub-sequential chemical deposition technique. The morphology of the prepared QDs is studied using a scanning and transmission electron microscope. The structural properties were measured using an X-ray diffractometer and an energy dispersive X-ray technique. The optical properties were recorded using a UV–visible spectrophotometer. The optical bowing constant (b) of alloyed Pb1−xZnxS has been deduced and equals 1.49 eV. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the bowing constant of alloyed Pb1−xZnxS is determined. The photovoltaic characteristics (short circuit current density Jsc, open circuit voltage Voc, fill factor FF and energy conversion efficiency η) of the assembled alloyed Pb1−xZnxS QDs sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) are measured under AM1.5 conditions. The optimal photovoltaic parameters of the alloyed Pb1−xZnxS QDSSCs were found at x = 0.2. The open circuit voltage decay of the assembled QDSSCs is measured. This novel result is attributed to suppressing of the electron–hole pairs recombination processes.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank king Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) for their financial support (Grant Project No. AT-38-23). The Quantum Optics group (QORG) at Taif University is also thanked for their assistance during this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia

    Ali Badawi, Alia Hendi Al Otaibi, Ateyyah M. Albaradi, N. Al-Hosiny & Sultan E. Alomairy

  2. Departments of Physics, College of Science and Humanities-Dawadmi, Shaqra University, Shaqra, Saudi Arabia

    Alia Hendi Al Otaibi

  3. Departments of Physics, Faculty of Science, Aljouf University, Sakakah, Saudi Arabia

    N. Al-Hosiny

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  1. Ali Badawi
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  2. Alia Hendi Al Otaibi
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  5. Sultan E. Alomairy
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Correspondence to Ali Badawi.

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Badawi, A., Al Otaibi, A.H., Albaradi, A.M. et al. Tailoring the energy band gap of alloyed Pb1−xZnxS quantum dots for photovoltaic applications. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 29, 20914–20922 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-018-0235-2

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