Bioinspired photoelectric conversion system based on carbon-quantum-dot-doped dye-semiconductor complex.

Compared to nature's photoelectric conversion processes, artificial devices are still far inferior in efficiency and stability. Inspired by light absorption and resonance energy transfer processes of chlorophyll, we developed a highly efficient photoelectric conversion system by introducing Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) as an electron transfer intermediary. Compared with conventional dye-sensitized semiconductor systems, the present CQD-doped system showed significantly higher photoelectric conversion efficiency, as much as 7 times that without CQDs. The CQD-doped dye/semiconductor system may provide a powerful approach to the development of highly efficient photoelectric devices.