The Influence of Dopant Concentration on Optical-Electrical Features of Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cell

Abstract

In this study, TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xCu_1−xSe, TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xMn_1−xSe, and TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xAg_2−2xSe thin films were synthesized by chemical bath deposition for the fabrication of photoanode in quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells. As a result, the structural properties of the thin films have been studied by X-ray diffraction, which confirmed the zinc Blende structure in the samples. The optical films were researched by their experimental absorption spectra with different doping concentrations. Those results were combined with the Tauc correlation to estimate the absorption density, the band gap energy, valence band and conduction band positions, steepness parameter, and electron–phonon interaction. Furthermore, the electrical features, electrochemical impedance spectrum and photocurrent density curves were carried out. The result was used to explain the enhancing performance efficiency.

1. Introduction

In recent years, nanocrystals have attracted attention from scientists globally due to their advanced features, such as high absorptivity, durable material composition, and efficient ruling of energies [1] Because of these properties, these semiconductors can be used in various fields, for example, as photoelectronics, photodetectors, quantum-dot-sensitized solar cell (QDSSCs), and other types of photoelectronic [2].

In recent decades, quantum dots (QDs) have attracted attention from scientists globally because of their unique properties, such as: high adsorption coefficient, stable chemical composition, and efficient control of the band gap (E_g) [3,4]. Because of these properties, these semiconductors can be used in various fields, such as: photoelectronics, photodetectors, quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells, and other types of solar cells [5,6,7]. Over the years, CdSe QDs have been extensively investigated by scientists worldwide. They were applied to the photoanodes in the QDSSCs owing to their low cost, easy fabrication, and high stable chemical composition. However, the resistance of the CdSe films is significantly larger, and the energies of these films are smaller than those of bulk CdSe. Therefore, the amount of excited electrons generated in the conduction band (CB) of CdSe QDs to be transferred to the CB of TiO₂ semiconductor was considerably low. Recently, a new technique has been applied to improve the current density and energy conversion of QDSSCs using CdSe QDs doped with transition metals such as Mg [5], and Co [8]. The exchange interaction between the transition metal and the electronic states of the CdSe QDs is fundamental for the study of optical and electrical properties of the QDSSCs. Generally, because of the doping of the transition metals in nano semiconductors, E_g and high-absorbing photons are generated in different regions. As a result, the photocurrent density, which is due to the movement of the excited electrons in the circuit, increases [9,10]. Moreover, after doping, the recombination and dynamic resistance of TiO₂/QDs and diffusion resistance of TiO₂ film (R_ct2), and counter electrode/electrolyte (R_ct1) decrease significantly [11].

In previous articles, TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xCu_1−xSe (as $0\%\le x\le 5\%, at\%$), TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xMn_1−xSe (as $0\%\le x\le 40\%, at\%$), and TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xAg_2−2xSe $0\%\le x\le 40\%, at\%$ thin films have investigated and optimized characterizations of the materials as morphological analysis through FE-SEM, TEM; structure through XRD, Raman, EDX; optical properties as UV-Viss; lifetimes of excited electrons for fabricating photoanode in QDSSCs. In this research, we focus on the optical-electrical properties by their experimental absorption spectra with different doping concentrations and combination with the Tauc correlation to estimate the absorption density, the band gap energy, valence band and conduction band positions, steepness parameter, and electron–phonon interaction in the samples.

2. Results and Discussion

2.1. Structural Characterization

The structural TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xCu_1−xSe, TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xMn_1−xSe, and TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xAg_2−2xSe QDSSCs have been performed by X-ray diffraction. The obtained X-ray diffraction patterns are shown in Figure 1. For all thin films, the chart lists various parameters calculated from the diffraction peaks at 43.2° and 50.1° corresponding to the (220) and (311) crystal planes, respectively, of CdS, and CdSe zinc blende structure (JCPDS No. 88-2346 and JCPDS No. 41-1019) [12]. The peaks at 25.4°, 37.6°, 47.5° and 54.5° correspond to the (101), (004), (200), and (211) planes of the TiO₂ Anatase structure [13]. In addition, the peak at 25 °C for TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xCu_1−xSe, TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xMn_1−xSe, and TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xAg_2−2xSe films conducted from the FTO, because all films were coated on the FTO [13].

2.2. Optical Characterization

In photovoltaic cells, both the optical and electrical features of component materials must be investigated extensively. In this study, the absorption spectra, transmission, and reflection spectra of QDSSCs were recorded using UV-Vis. From the absorption spectra, we can determine various optical parameters, such as the absorption coefficient, E_g of materials to control further band tail and study the defect states inside materials. TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xCu_1−xSe, TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xMn_1−xSe, and TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xAg_2−2xSe films recorded approximately 11.7 µm, 12.675 µm, and 13.013 µm of thickness from Figure 2, respectively.

In Figure 3a, the absorbance density of the TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xCu_1−xSe, TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xMn_1−xSe, and TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xAg_2−2xSe thin films significantly increased by approximately 17%, when compared with undoped film with that of TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xCu_1−xSe photoanode. Moreover, the absorption density of the TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xAg_2−2xSe thin films decreased by approximately 11%, when compared with TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xCu_1−xSe thin films. Furthermore, the absorption density of TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xCu_1−xSe, TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xMn_1−xSe, and TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xAg_2−2xSe photoanodes shifted towards a longer wavelength (from 507 nm for undoped films to 605 nm for doped films). This is attributed to the replacement of the Cd atoms by the metal atoms in the films and a proper crystallization of the films corresponding to a suitable doping-concentration-reducing effect state [14]. The 605 nm absorption peak of the TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xCu_1−xSe film was attributed to the transition of the VB of Se to d-state of Cu dopant in the E_g of pure CdSe QDs [15].

From the UV-Vis spectra, using the Tauc relation in Equation (1), we variously determined the E_g of the TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xCu_1−xSe, TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xMn_1−xSe, and TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xAg_2−2xSe films with dopants [16]

$$\alpha h\nu ={\alpha }_o{\left(h\nu -E_g\right)}^n$$

(1)

where α is noted as a coefficient of light coming adsorption, $h\nu$ is noted as a light coming energy, α_o is not the change factor, CdSe QDs has the direct band gap, and n = 0.5. After plotting Equation (1) in Figure 3b, E_g of the films was estimated and recorded (shown in

Table 1. E_g, CB, and VB were estimated by Tauc equation and the band tail, σ, E_e-p were obtained from the absorption spectra.

Atom%	Eg (eV)	X (eV)	ECB (eV)	EVB (eV)	EU (eV)	σ (eV)	Ee-p (eV)
CdSe film	2.08	5.145	−4.105	−6.2	0.786	0.033	20.25
CdxCu1−xSe film	1.87	4.91	−3.98	−5.85	2.11	0.012	54.5
CdxMn1−xSe film	1.79	4.62	−3.7	−5.5	2.33	0.011	59.97
CdxAg2−2xSe film	1.78	4.99	−4.1	−5.88	1.26	0.0205	32.6

).

Figure 3b,c illustrates the valuable E_g for CdSe-doped photoanodes varying from 1.87 eV to 1.78 eV, which is smaller than that without doped photoanode (2.08 eV). Furthermore, by observation, the E_g values of CdSe-doped photoanodes depended significantly on the change in dopants. Here, the reduced E_g of the doped films resulted from two factors: an increase in particle size after doping [17], and a change in force density on account of the presence of Cu-Se, Mn-Se, and Ag-Se pairs in the extended lattice at the expense of Cd-Se in the host lattice [18]. Therefore, the dopant energy levels, called transition energies, are presented in the E_g of pure CdSe QDs. Subsequently, these photons obtain energy below E_g of pure CdSe nano semiconductor, which can be absorbed at dopant energy levels before they are transferred to the CB of pure CdSe semiconductor. Therefore, J_SC was significantly increased on account of a large number of absorbed photons and, consequently, the absorption peak shifted towards to a longer wavelength. Furthermore, both the conduction band and valence band positions of the TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xCu_1−xSe, TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xMn_1−xSe, and TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xAg_2−2xSe films were estimated by the Tauc formula and listed in Table 1. Obtained CB values of −3.98, −3.7, and −4.1 eV corresponding to the TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xCu_1−xSe, TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xMn_1−xSe, and TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xAg_2−2xSe films, respectively, are higher than the CB value of −4.105 eV of pure CdSe QDs. Therefore, the presence of doping metals, which has increased the CB value in the doped films compared to that in the undoped CdSe QDs, aids in the transition of excited electrons from the CdSe QDs to TiO₂.

Due to the band structure and transition energies of materials in the absorption process, the absorption coefficient is estimated using an equation correlation [19], as follows

$$\alpha =\frac{2.3026.A}{d}$$

(2)

where A and d are the absorption density and the thickness of the film, respectively.

As can be seen in Figure 3d, $\alpha$ significantly increases after doping, and a shift in the absorption peak for CdSe doping metals compared to that without dopant occurs. This result, obtained from the replacement of Cd atoms by the metal dopants in the doped films, which induces the d-state electrons of dopant atoms, appeared in E_g of CdSe QDs to introduce the energy levels of dopant in the E_g of CdSe QDs. Therefore, the absorption coefficient of the doped films was enhanced significantly because the appearance of the transition energy levels ensured that a large number of photons was absorbed in different regions [20,21].

To correlate the localized states with the E_g of the films, the Urbach energy (E_u) of the films was determined as follows [22]

$$\alpha ={\alpha }_o\exp \left(\frac{h\nu }{E_u}\right)$$

(3)

The Urbach plots between ln(α) and $h\nu$ and E_u (which are estimated from the slope of the curves between ln(α) and $h\nu$) are shown in Figure 4. As is evident, the valuable E_u depends on the type of doping metal. There was a minor decrease in its E_u, from 0.786 eV (undoped film) to 2.33 eV (doped films), due to the reduced defect states in the TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xCu_1−xSe, TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xMn_1−xSe, and TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xAg_2−2xSe films [23]. The E_u value of 2.33 eV was achieved for Cu doping, and was approximately two times higher than the band tail energy values for Mn and Ag doping (shown in Table 1). This implies that the large defect states in the films are a result of the unsatisfied bond, and the center of those defect states in E_g of the TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xCu_1−xSe, TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xMn_1−xSe, and TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xAg_2−2xSe films. Depending on the dopant, the defect state center can appear in the middle of E_g, near the VB, or near the CB [24].

The absorption spectrum of the photovoltaic cells depends on several factors, such as the type of doping material, doping concentration, photoconductivity, thickness of the film, and especially, photon absorption in film. The steepness parameter, σ, is considered to result from the electron–phonon interaction (E_e-p). σ is correlated with E_e-p via the following correlation: E_e-p = 3/2σ. Figure 5 and Table 1 show the variations in σ and E_e-p, respectively. As can be seen in Figure 4a, σ shows a downward trend as the concentration of the doping metal reduced to a minimum of 3% (0.011 eV), which implies a stronger electron–phonon interaction energy corresponding to the TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xCu_1−xSe film as a result, confirming that the bond energy is as a parameter of film composition [24]. Furthermore, the E_e-p value for the TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xCu_1−xSe film (59.97 eV) is significantly higher than for the TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xAg_2−2xSe film (32.6 eV) or the CdSe film (20.25 eV), and σ increases considerably. Evidently, the compositional variations in ternary TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xCu_1−xSe, TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xMn_1−xSe, and TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xAg_2−2xSe thin films caused variations in the optical parameters [24].

2.3. Electrical Properties

In this section, we study the current–voltage (J-V) characteristics of QDSSCs and, subsequently, the estimated primary physical parameters using one illuminated J-V curve. The photovoltaic device significantly depends on the four resistances in a photovoltaic cell: an external resistance (R_D), internal resistance (R_d), series resistance (R_s), and a shunt resistance (R_SH) (Figure 6). Ideally, R_s should be zero, and R_SH should be infinite. As a result of the dynamic parameters, significant power losses caused by the dynamic resistances due to various factors, such as manufacturing defects, technological processes, and natural materials, are estimated.

In [26], we conducted the equations for dynamic parameters as follows

$$R_D=\frac{V_1-V_2}{I_2-I_1}$$

(4)

$$R_d=\frac{1}{\alpha \left(I_2-I_1\right)}Ln\left(\frac{I_{ph}+I_o-I_1}{I_{ph}+I_o-I_2}\right)$$

(5)

$$R_s=R_D-R_d$$

(6)

$$R_{SH}=\frac{V_{OC}}{I_{ph}-I_o\left(e^{\alpha V_{OC}}-1\right)}$$

(7)

$$\alpha =\frac{q}{n{k}_{B}T}$$

(8)

where q and k_B are the electronic charge and Boltzmann constant, respectively, T is the room temperature, I_ph is the incident light intensity, and I_o is the diode saturation current. The obtained physical parameters are listed in

Table 2. The values of the performance efficiency (efficiency, short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage, fill factor) and R_D, R_d, R_SH, R_s were estimated from J-V curves and R_ct1, R_ct2 were obtained from the EIS experiment.

Atom%	JSC (mA/cm2)	FF	VOC (V)	η (%)	RD (Ω)	Rd (Ω)	RSH (kΩ)	RS (Ω)	Rct1 (Ω)	Rct2 (Ω)
CdSe film	12.4	0.379	0.42	1.97 ± 0.01	33.75	96.5	12.4	62.8	629	193
CdxCu1−xSe film	19.89	0.419	0.505	4.24 ± 0.003	25.31	61	19.9	35.7	255	21
CdxMn1−xSe film	18.99	0.381	0.52	3.9 ± 0.005	27.51	64.1	18.99	36.6	205	25
CdxAg2−2xSe film	11	0.53	0.47	2.75 ± 0.008	41.81	108	10.92	66.2	256	23

.

In this experiment, samples of photovoltaic cells fabricated using the TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xCu_1−xSe, TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xMn_1−xSe, and TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xAg_2−2xSe photoanodes were recorded by a Keithley 2400 source meter under identical illumination condition. Figure 7a,b show the graphical representation of the measurement results. The performance efficiency of the photovoltaic cells is sensitive to the concentration of the metal dopants (Figure 6). For example, the energy conversion value increased significantly from 1.97% (undoped film) to 4.24% (TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xCu_1−xSe film), and the highest efficiency was obtained for Cu doping. Furthermore, the efficiency dropped to 2.75% (for TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xAg_2−2xSe film). Furthermore, the valuation parameters of the photovoltaic cells were significantly influenced by doping metals; the corresponding experimental values are recorded in Table 2.

The values of the R_D, R_d, and R_SH of the photovoltaic cells are extracted from the photocurrent density curves in Figure 8a–c, and one J-V curve method, and listed in Table 2. Moreover, R_s is the resistance between the external circuit and the counter electrode photoanode. Generally, R_s drops rapidly with the doping of metal dopants because of the difference between R_D and R_d value of R_s decreased from 62.8 Ω (undoped film) to 35.7 Ω (TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xCu_1−xSe film). Here, R_D is the resultant of R_SH, R_d (through the diode), and R_s. The value of R_D was lowest for the TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xCu_1−xSe film, and increased to attain 66.2 Ω for the TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xAg_2−2xSe film. Generally, the value of R_D of the doped films is lower than that of the undoped film because the replacement of the Cd atoms in the CdSe film hosted by the metal dopants reduced resistance inside each layer and at multilayer surfaces. Moreover, a leakage current generated in the technology process can change R_D. Therefore, while R_SH should be infinite for an ideal photovoltaic cell, practically, there is an upper limit of 20 kΩ for R_SH. According to Table 2, the R_SH values for doped films are higher without dopant, and the highest, 19.9 kΩ, is obtained from the TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xCu_1−xSe film. Evidently, R_SH is sensitive to the doping metal; while, for C doping, R_SH reaches a maximum value of 19.9 kΩ, for Ag doping, R_SH value decreased to 10.92 kΩ for TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xAg_2−2xSe film. This result was also proven as the UV-Vis peak moves to a longer wavelength owing to the reduced E_g and enhanced E_e-p discussed in Section 3.2. Furthermore, our result also agrees with reference [26].

Conventionally, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was found by Mosa–Sero [27] to determine the occurring processes through contacts, TiO₂ film and polysulfide electrolyte. These investigation and analysis processes included several steps, such as the pumping of excited charges from the CB of QDs to the CB of TiO₂, diffusive charges inside the TiO₂ film before moving to the external circuit, the transfer of electrons to the counter electrode/polysulfide. In this case, an equivalent circuit was extracted from the EIS fitting using the Nova software. As far as the EIS fitting is concerned, the equivalent circuits for simulation were chosen for a consistent match between the EIS experiment and EIS fitting. Subsequently, R_ct1 and R_ct2 were obtained from EIS fitting. Those values are listed in Table 2.

Figure 9a–c shows the EIS curves of the photovoltaic cells based on the metal dopants, and dynamic resistance curves in the counter electrode/polysulfide electrolyte surface, and in the redox process of electrolysis, R_ct1, and the recombination resistance at TiO₂/QDs surface, and in TiO₂ film, R_ct2. In the same way, the recombination resistances, which are listed in Table 2, depend significantly on the doping concentration of the metal dopants. A downward trend was observed R_ct1 value from 629 Ω (undoped film) to 205 Ω (TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xMn_1−xSe film) or to 255 Ω (TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xCu_1−xSe film). The value of R_ct1 was the lowest (205 Ω) for the TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xMn_1−xSe film, and it increased to a maximum value of 256Ω for the TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xAg_2-2xSe film. This implies that a decrease in the recombination resistance at the counter electrode/polysulfide electrolyte surface and in the redox process of the electrolyte resulted in the enhanced current density (19.89 mA/cm²) and energy conversion (4.24%) compared to those for the undoped film (12.4 mA/cm² and 1.97%, respectively) [28]. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the correlation with R_ct2 caused the recombination resistance in the photovoltaic cells, which indicates that the recombination processes at TiO₂/QDs surface, inside QDs, and the diffusion of charges in TiO₂ film were correlated to the TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xCu_1−xSe film, TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xMn_1−xSe film, and TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xAg_2-2xSe film. Therefore, R_ct2 is pivotal in explaining the enhanced current density and performance efficiency after the proposed metal doping. Correspondingly, the values of the R_ct2 decreased from 193 Ω (undoped film) to 21 Ω (Cu doping). The value of R_ct2 was the lowest for Cu doping (21Ω), and increased to a maximum of 23 Ω for Ag doping. This result is consistent with the results from the photocurrent density curve, absorption spectra, and the band tail energy. Because of the reduced recombination resistance, a large number of charges accumulated, further reducing the recombination process of the excited electrons with the surface states of QDs, resulting in the fast pumping of excited charges between CdS, CdSe and TiO₂ [29].

3. Experiment

3.1. Materials

TEC7 Glass Plates 3.2 mm (2.2 mm of thickness, 1.2 × 2 cm = 0.196 cm² of area) was purchased from Sigma in Frankfurter, German. Titania paste, Sodium Selenite (Na₂SeO₃), Cd(NO₃)₂. 2H₂O, Na₂S.9H₂O, Cu(NO₃)₂. 3H₂O, Mn(CH₃COO)₂.4H₂O, AgNO₃, Na₂SO₃, NaOH, Se powder, KCl, Na₂S, S were bought from Sigma in Frankfurter, German. All chemicals were used directly without further purification.

3.2. Preparation Processes

TiO₂ film was coated on the Fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) followed by annealing in air at 500 °C.

Fabrication of CdS film: The FTO/TiO₂ film was dipped in Cd²⁺-solution (2.665 g Cd(NO₃)₂.2H₂O dissolved in a 20 mL mixture of ethanol and pure water in 1:1 ratio) for 5 min, and then washed with ethanol. Furthermore, it was dipped in S²⁻ solution (12 g of Na₂S.9H₂O, dissolved in 100 mL mixture of methanol and pure water in 1:1 ratio) for 5 min and then washed with methanol. This two-step process formed a single layer of the CdS film. Two layers of the CdS film were coated by repeating the two-step process.

Fabrication of Cu²⁺ Doped, Mn²⁺ Doped, and Ag⁺ Doped CdSe Films

For Cu²⁺ doping, Cd²⁺ and Cu²⁺-solution (0.1 M Cd(NO₃)₂.2H₂O and 0.1 M Cu(NO₃)₂.3H₂O dissolved in a 30 mL mixture of ethanol and pure water in 1:1 ratio) was kept for 5 min, and then washed with ethanol.

For Mn²⁺ doping, Cd²⁺ and Mn²⁺-solution (0.1 M Cd(NO₃)₂. 2H₂O and 0.1 M Mn(CH₃COO)₂. 4H₂O dissolved in 30 mL mixture of methanol and pure water in 1:1 ratio) was kept for 5 min, and then washed with methanol.

For Ag⁺ doping, Cd²⁺ and Ag⁺-solution (0.1 M Cd(NO₃)₂. 2H₂O and 0.1 M AgNO₃ dissolved in a 30 mL mixture of ethanol and pure water in 1:1 ratio) was kept for 5 min, and then washed with ethanol.

Furthermore, for the fabrication of Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Ag⁺ doped films, the previously synthesized FTO/TiO₂/CdS were, respectively, separately dipped into the solutions mentioned above. Subsequently, the films were dipped in Se²⁻-solution (2.27 g Se powder and 0.6 M Na₂SO₃ were dissolved in 100 mL of water and then added to 5 mL of 1 M NaOH. Furthermore, the solution was stored at 70 °C in 7 h) for 15 min at 50 °C, and then washed with pure water to form a single layer of the CdSe film desired doping material. Three layers of the CdSe film with the desired doping material were coated by repeating the above process. Finally, the films were annealed in the range from 120 °C to 300 °C as in vacuum for 30 min.

The polysulfide electrolyte was prepared by mixing 0.5 M Na₂S, 0.2 M S, and 0.2 M KCl in pure water in 7:3 ratio.

The photoanodes have been synthesized and characterized using XRD (Philips, PANalytical X’Pert, CuKα radiation). The absorption spectra were recorded using a UV-Vis JASCO V-670. The completed photovoltaic cells were characterized using a Keithley 2400 source meter developed by SOLARENA, Sweden. The obtained J-V curves are supported to estimate the valuable electrical range of devices. The scanning speed voltage of the equipment was set at 5 mV/s in the range from V_OC to 0. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was performed using an impedance analyzer (ZAHNER CIMPS).

4. Conclusions

TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xCu_1−xSe, TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xMn_1−xSe, and TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xAg_2-2xSe thin films were successfully synthesized on FTO glass as photoanodes in solar cells, which were sensitive to Cu₂S counter electrode. The QDSSCs using the TiO₂/CdS/Cd_xCu_1−xSe photoanode exhibits the highest performance: J_SC = 19.89 mA/cm², V_OC = 0.505 V, FF = 0.379, and η = 4.24% as a result of enhancing electrocatalytic activity, charge transfer and charge collection, reducing recombination, and the longer excited electron lifetime. The optical parameters also are sensitive to dopant. This implies that large defect states in the films are a result of the unsatisfied bond and the center of those defect states in E_g of Cd_xCu_1−xSe films. They can be seen in the middle of E_g, near the VB, or near the CB. Furthermore, the electrical properties of the Cd_xCu_1−xSe were also investigated through the R_s, R_SH dynamic resistance, recombination resistance, diffusion resistance in TiO₂ layer, and TiO₂/QDs, R_ct1, R_ct2. As a result, the recombination and dynamic resistance of TiO₂/QDs and diffusion in TiO₂ (R_ct2) films, and the diffusion at the counter electrode/electrolyte (R_ct1), decreased significantly.