CdSe quantum dots sensitized ZnO nanorods for solar cell application

Sol gel dip coating method has been used for preparing ZnO nanorods. ZnO nanorods have been sensitized using CdSe quantum dots by simple chemical method. Uniform coverage of quantum dots on ZnO nanorods is observed. The structural, optical and morphology of the ZnO nanorods, CdSe quantum dots and CdSe quantum dot sensitized ZnO nanorods have been studied. The presence of CdSe quantum dots in ZnO nanorods based film is clearly seen in FESEM and TEM image and the elements Zn, O, Cd and Se present in the film was confirmed by EDAX analysis. FTO/CdSe quantum dot-ZnO nanorods/electrolyte/platinum structure based solar cell has been fabricated and the cell efficiency has been found to be 2.1%.