Effect of the calcination temperature of the FTO/PbS cathode on the performance of a quantum dot-sensitized solar cell.

As a cheaper alternative to the industrial Pt electrode used in quantum-sensitized solar cells, the electrophoresis process is employed to create the low-cost FTO/PbS cathode. For structural cubic and sizes ranging from 40 nm to 200 nm, structure and morphology were investigated using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The conversion efficiency of solar cells is significantly impacted by the calcination temperatures of cathodes at 100 °C, 150 °C, 200 °C, and 300 °C under vacuum. The FTO/PbS cathode electrode was therefore calcined at 150 °C with a maximum efficiency of 3.938%. This happens as a result of the complete fusion of PbS nanoparticles with crystal at 150 °C, which reduces resistance and increases electron lifetime compared to other temperature combinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]