CuInS2/Mn-CdS quantum dot co-sensitized flexible solar cells based on single fibrous TiO2 nanowire arrays

TiO2 nanowire arrays are prepared on Ti wire by a hydrothermal process, which are co-sensitized with CuInS2/Mn-CdS quantum dots to fabricate the solar cells with Cu2S/brass as the counter electrode. The UV–Vis absorption spectra observe that the deposition of CuInS2/Mn-CdS quantum dots on the TiO2 photoanodes obviously improves its optical absorption properties. The influence of the length of TiO2 nanowire arrays is also investigated, which indicates that the solar cells with 20 μm TiO2 nanowire arrays in length have the best photovoltaic performance. The diameter of Cu2S/brass counter electrode has a significant influence on the illuminated area and electrocatalytic ability of the solar cells. For comparison, the fibrous CuInS2/Mn-CdS quantum dot co-sensitized solar cells using the Cu2S counter electrode of 100 μm in diameter exhibits a photovoltaic power conversion efficiency of 3.51 %.