Chiaki Kasada

Bio: Chiaki Kasada is an academic researcher from National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Dye-sensitized solar cell & Energy conversion efficiency. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 7 publications receiving 3083 citations.

Design of new coumarin dyes having thiophene moieties for highly efficient organic-dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract: We have developed new coumarin dyes having thiophene moieties in order to improve the photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized nanocrystalline TiO2 solar cells based on the organic dyes as photosensitizers. A solar-energy-to-electricity conversion efficiency (η) of 7.7% was attained under AM 1.5 irradiation (100 mW cm−2) with a short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 14.3 mA cm−2, an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.73 V, and a fill factor (ff) of 0.74.

A High‐Light‐Harvesting‐Efficiency Coumarin Dye for Stable Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract: Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been studied extensively as potential alternatives to conventional inorganic solid solar cells, by using wide-bandgap nanocrystalline TiO2 sensitized with ruthenium polypyridine complexes or metal-free organic dyes as photoelectrodes. Through molecular design, ruthenium complexes have achieved power-conversion efficiencies of over 11 %, while metal-free organic dyes have reached ca. 9 % power-conversion efficiency under AM 1.5 (AM: air mass) simulated solar light of 100 mW cm (1 sun). Several ruthenium polypyridyl complexes have shown their ability to withstand thermal or light-soaking stress tests for at least 1000 h while retaining an efficiency above 7 %, whereas for organic-dye-based DSSCs the longterm stability, which is the critical requirement for practical applications, so far remains a serious problem. Organic dyes are also promising for applications in DSSCs in that they have much higher molar extinction coefficients than those for ruthenium polypyridine complexes, which are favorable for light-harvesting efficiency (LHE) and hence photocurrent generation. Among the organic dye sensitizers tested in DSSCs, coumarin dyes are strong candidates because of their good photoelectric conversion properties. However, one of their drawbacks is that a high concentration of 4-tert-butylpyridine (TBP) is usually required for a high power-conversion efficiency. Under continuous light soaking of 1 sun for a short period of one day, the photovoltaic performance was observed to drop dramatically because of the dissolution of the dye into electrolyte containing 0.5 M or more TBP. Therefore, it still remains a great challenge to acquire a DSSC based on a metal-free organic dye with high efficiency that is stable in the long term. In this paper, we report a new coumarin dye, 2-cyano-3-{5′-[1-cyano-2-(1,1,6,6tetramethyl-10-oxo-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-1H,4H,10H-11-oxa-3aaza-benzo[de]anthracen-9-yl)-vinyl]-[2,2′]bithiophenyl-5-yl}acrylic acid (NKX-2883), shown in Figure 1, for use in DSSCs. These DSSCs exhibited LHE values of near unity, incident photon-to-electron conversion efficiency (IPCE) over a wide spectral region on transparent TiO2 films of only 6 lm thickness, and maintained ca. 6 % power-conversion efficiency under continuous light soaking of 1 sun at 50–55 °C for 1000 h. Figure 2a shows the UV-vis absorption spectrum for NKX2883 in an ethanol solution. NKX-2883 exhibited two p–p* electron-transition peaks (426 and 552 nm) in the visible region. Compared to NKX-2677 (2-cyano-3-[5’-(1,1,6,6-tetramethyl-10-oxo-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-1H,4H,10H-11-oxa-3a-azabenzo[de]anthracen-9-yl)-[2,2’]bithiophenyl-5-yl]acrylic acid), one of the best organic dyes for DSSCs reported previously, the introduction of one more CN group into the molecular frame decreases the gap between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), thus extending the maximum absorption from 511 to 552 nm. This red-shift may favor light harvesting and hence photocurrent generation in DSSCs, as will be discussed below. The 552 nm peak showed a broad feature with a full width at half-maximum absorbance of ca. 110 nm, comparable to that for ruthenium polypyridyl complexes, contributing broadly to the high LHE. The molar extinction coefficient (e) of NKX-2883 in ethanol was determined to be 9.74 × 10 dm mol cm at 552 nm, which is about seven times larger than that of N3 (cis-di(thiocyanate)-bis(2,2’-bipyridyl-4,4’-dicarboxylic acid); e= 1.42 × 10 dm mol cm at 532 nm), and 60 % larger than that for NKX-2677 (e= 6.43 × 10 dm mol cm at 511 nm). The LUMO (–0.69 V vs the normal hydrogen electrode (NHE)) of NKX-2883 is more negative than the conduction-band edge of TiO2 (–0.5 V vs NHE), [23] ensuring that electron injection from the excited dye to the conduction band of TiO2 is thermodynamically favorable. The dye-loaded films were obtained by dipping the TiO2 film in dye solutions with different concentrations: 0.02, 0.1, 0.3, and 1.0 mM. The normalized UV-vis absorption spectra for dye-loaded films are plotted in Figure 2b. It is evident that the spectrum becomes slightly broader with an increasing conC O M M U N IC A TI O N

Oligothiophene-containing coumarin dyes for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells.

Abstract: We have developed oligothiophene-containing coumarin dyes fully functionalized for dye-sensitized nanocrystalline TiO(2) solar cells (DSSCs). DSSCs based on the dyes gave good performance in terms of incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) in the range of 400-800 nm. A solar energy-to-electricity conversion efficiency (eta) of 7.4% was obtained with a DSSC based on 2-cyano-3-[5'-(1,1,6,6-tetramethyl-10-oxo-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-1H,4H,10H-11-oxa-3a-aza-benzo[de]anthracen-9-yl)-[2,2']bithiophenyl-5-yl]acrylic acid (NKX-2677) under simulated AM 1.5G irradiation (100 mW cm(-2)) with a mask: short-circuit current density (J(sc)) = 13.5 mA cm(-2); open-circuit voltage (V(oc)) = 0.71 V; fill factor (FF) = 0.77. Transient absorption spectroscopy measurements indicated that electron injection from NKX-2677 to the conduction band of TiO(2) is very rapid (<100 fs), which is much faster than the emission lifetime of the dye (1.0 ns), giving a highly efficient electron injection yield of near unity.

Thiophene-Functionalized Coumarin Dye for Efficient Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Electron Lifetime Improved by Coadsorption of Deoxycholic Acid

Abstract: This paper reports a new coumarin dye, 2-cyano-3-(5-{2-[5-(1,1,6,6-tetramethyl-10-oxo-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-1H,4H,10H-11-oxa-3a-aza-benzo[de]anthracen -9-yl)-thiophen-2-yl]-vinyl}-thiophen-2-yl)-acrylic acid (NKX-2700), and its application in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Under illumination of simulated AM1.5G solar light (100 mW cm-2) with an aperture black mask, 5.0% of power conversion efficiency [short-circuit photocurrent density (Jsc) = 12.0 mA cm-2, open-circuit photovoltage (Voc) = 0.59 V, and fill factor (FF) = 0.71] was obtained for NKX-2700 based DSSC, which was significantly improved to 8.2% (Jsc = 15.9 mA cm-2, Voc = 0.69 V, FF = 0.75) upon addition of 120 mM deoxycholic acid (DCA) to the dye solution for TiO2 sensitization. Coadsorption of DCA decreased dye coverage by ∼50% but significantly improved the Jsc by 33%. The breakup of π-stacked aggregates might improve electron injection yield and thus Jsc. Electrochemical impedance data indicate that the electron lifetime was improved by coa...

Effect of additives on the photovoltaic performance of coumarin-dye-sensitized nanocrystalline TiO2 solar cells.

Abstract: The effects of deoxycholic acid (DCA) and 4-tert-butylpyridine (TBP) as additives on the photovoltaic performance of coumarin-dye-sensitized nanocrystalline TiO2 solar cells were investigated. DCA coadsorption improved both the photocurrent and photovoltage of the solar cells, even though it decreased the amount of dye adsorbed on the TiO2 electrode. The improved photocurrent may arise from suppression of the deactivation of the excited state via quenching processes between dye molecules or a more negative LUMO level of the dye in the presence of DCA, resulting in a high electron-injection yield from the dye into TiO2. The increased photovoltage is probably due to suppression of recombination between the injected electrons and I3- ions on the TiO2 surface (dark current). The addition of TBP to the electrolyte also markedly improved the photovoltage and fill factor of the solar cell, and consequently, the total conversion efficiency increased from 3.6% to 7.5%. FT-IR spectroscopy indicated that a large amount of TBP was adsorbed on the dye-coated TiO2 films in the presence of Li cations. This result suggests that TBP, like DCA, suppressed the dark current on the TiO2 surface, which resulted in the improved photovoltage.

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract: Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) offer the possibilities to design solar cells with a large flexibility in shape, color, and transparency. DSC research groups have been established around the worl ...

Nanowire dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract: Excitonic solar cells1—including organic, hybrid organic–inorganic and dye-sensitized cells (DSCs)—are promising devices for inexpensive, large-scale solar energy conversion. The DSC is currently the most efficient2 and stable3 excitonic photocell. Central to this device is a thick nanoparticle film that provides a large surface area for the adsorption of light-harvesting molecules. However, nanoparticle DSCs rely on trap-limited diffusion for electron transport, a slow mechanism that can limit device efficiency, especially at longer wavelengths. Here we introduce a version of the dye-sensitized cell in which the traditional nanoparticle film is replaced by a dense array of oriented, crystalline ZnO nanowires. The nanowire anode is synthesized by mild aqueous chemistry and features a surface area up to one-fifth as large as a nanoparticle cell. The direct electrical pathways provided by the nanowires ensure the rapid collection of carriers generated throughout the device, and a full Sun efficiency of 1.5% is demonstrated, limited primarily by the surface area of the nanowire array.

Dye-sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract: The dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC) provides a technically and economically credible alternative concept to present day p–n junction photovoltaic devices. In contrast to the conventional systems where the semiconductor assume both the task of light absorption and charge carrier transport the two functions are separated here. Light is absorbed by a sensitizer, which is anchored to the surface of a wide band semiconductor. Charge separation takes place at the interface via photo-induced electron injection from the dye into the conduction band of the solid. Carriers are transported in the conduction band of the semiconductor to the charge collector. The use of sensitizers having a broad absorption band in conjunction with oxide films of nanocrstalline morphology permits to harvest a large fraction of sunlight. Nearly quantitative conversion of incident photon into electric current is achieved over a large spectral range extending from the UV to the near IR region. Overall solar (standard AM 1.5) to current conversion efficiencies (IPCE) over 10% have been reached. There are good prospects to produce these cells at lower cost than conventional devices. Here we present the current state of the field, discuss new concepts of the dye-sensitized nanocrystalline solar cell (DSC) including heterojunction variants and analyze the perspectives for the future development of the technology.

Solar energy conversion by dye-sensitized photovoltaic cells

Abstract: The quality of human life depends to a large degree on the availability of energy. This is threatened unless renewable energy resources can be developed in the near future. Chemistry is expected to make important contributions to identify environmentally friendly solutions of the energy problem. One attractive strategy discussed in this Forum Article is the development of solar cells that are based on the sensitization of mesoscopic oxide films by dyes or quantum dots. These systems have already reached conversion efficiencies exceeding 11%. The underlying fundamental processes of light harvesting by the sensitizer, heterogeneous electron transfer from the electronically excited chromophore into the conduction band of the semiconductor oxide, and percolative migration of the injected electrons through the mesoporous film to the collector electrode will be described below in detail. A number of research topics will also be discussed, and the examples for the first outdoor application of such solar cells wi...

Metal-Free Organic Dyes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: From Structure: Property Relationships to Design Rules

Abstract: Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) have attracted considerable attention in recent years as they offer the possibility of low-cost conversion of photovoltaic energy This Review focuses on recent advances in molecular design and technological aspects of metal-free organic dyes for applications in dye-sensitized solar cells Special attention has been paid to the design principles of these dyes and on the effect of various electrolyte systems Cosensitization, an emerging technique to extend the absorption range, is also discussed as a way to improve the performance of the device In addition, we report on inverted dyes for photocathodes, which constitutes a relatively new approach for the production of tandem cells Special consideration has been paid to the correlation between the molecular structure and physical properties to their performance in DSSCs