The transparent photovoltaic NiO/TiO2 orderly nanoarray pn junction via synergism of AgInS2 quantum dots and Ti3+ self-doping

Abstract

The transparent AgInS₂ quantum dots/NiO/Ti³⁺-TiO₂ orderly nanoarray pn junction is synthesized by a hydrothermal-solid reduction-chemical-sputtering method. The obtained AgInS₂ QDs/NiO/Ti³⁺-TiO₂ exhibits a transmittance of ∼85%, photovoltaic enhancement of ∼5.0 × 10³ folds (photovoltaic conversion efficiency of ∼1.21%) and stable output for a duration of 6 months’ cycle. These features are mainly attributed to the synergism of AgInS₂ QDs and Ti³⁺/O_v. Herein, the AgInS₂ QDs with high quantum yield and Ti³⁺/O_v with appropriate shallow donor level can efficiently optimize the carrier kinetic equilibrium, while sustaining good transparency. In addition, the TiO₂ nanoarrays with orderly array interval can increase the solar efficiency to further optimize the carrier kinetic equilibrium, while increasing the photovoltaic stability via high Youngs modulus.