Enhancement of quantum dot-sensitized solar cells performance using CuInS 2 –Cu 2 S nanocomposite synthesized by a green method

In the present work, first, In2S3 and Cu2S nanoparticles were prepared by a simple hydrothermal method and then annealed at 450 °C for 2 h in an Ar gas until CuInS2–Cu2S nanocomposite was formed. Afterwards, the efficiency of the as-synthesized CIS–Cu2S nanocomposite in quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) was evaluated. For this purpose, the as-prepared CIS–Cu2S nanocomposite was deposited on TiO2 using doctor blade technique, and electrophoresis deposition was used for fabrication of TiO2 layer on the FTO glass substrate. Using CIS–Cu2S nanocomposite led to obtaining 2.01% cell efficiency that in comparison with pure Cu2S (1.14%) and CIS nanoparticles (1.23%), efficiency improvements of 76% and 63% were achieved, respectively.