Counter electrodes for DSC: Application of functional materials as catalysts
TL;DR: In this article, a carbon-black-loaded stainless steel electrode was used as a counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells, achieving high photovoltaic performance.
About: This article is published in Inorganica Chimica Acta.The article was published on 2008-02-15. It has received 562 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Auxiliary electrode & Graphite.
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TL;DR: The interpretation of the impedance parameters for determining the internal features of the device, concerning the carrier distribution, materials properties such as the density of states and/or doping of the semiconductors, and the match of energy levels for photoinduced charge generation and separation are emphasized.
Abstract: We review the application of impedance spectroscopy in dye-sensitized solar cells, quantum dot-sensitized solar cells and organic bulk heterojunction solar cells. We emphasize the interpretation of the impedance parameters for determining the internal features of the device, concerning the carrier distribution, materials properties such as the density of states and/or doping of the semiconductors, and the match of energy levels for photoinduced charge generation and separation. Another central task is the determination of recombination mechanisms from the measured resistances, and the factors governing the device performance by combined analysis of resistances as a function of voltage and current–voltage curves.
1,046 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that a functionalized graphene sheet based ink can serve as a catalytic, flexible, electrically conductive counter electrode material and a new electrochemical impedance spectroscopy equivalent circuit is proposed that matches the observed spectra features to the appropriate phenomena.
Abstract: When applied on the counter electrode of a dye-sensitized solar cell, functionalized graphene sheets with oxygen-containing sites perform comparably to platinum (conversion efficiencies of 5.0 and 5.5%, respectively, at 100 mW cm−2 AM1.5G simulated light). To interpret the catalytic activity of functionalized graphene sheets toward the reduction of triiodide, we propose a new electrochemical impedance spectroscopy equivalent circuit that matches the observed spectra features to the appropriate phenomena. Using cyclic voltammetry, we also show that tuning our material by increasing the amount of oxygen-containing functional groups can improve its apparent catalytic activity. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a functionalized graphene sheet based ink can serve as a catalytic, flexible, electrically conductive counter electrode material.
1,040 citations
TL;DR: An efficient nonplatinized flexible counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells using an amphiphilic ruthenium polypyridyl photosensitizer with higher electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of triiodide is reported.
Abstract: We report an efficient nonplatinized flexible counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells. In combination with a solvent-free ionic liquid electrolyte, we have demonstrated a ∼6.5% cell with an amphiphilic ruthenium polypyridyl photosensitizer showing excellent stability measured under prolonged light soaking at 60 °C. Compared to the Pt deposited PEN film, the CoS deposited PEN film shows higher electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of triiodide. This is expected to have an important practical consequence on the production of flexible low-cost and lightweight thin film DSC devices based on the plastic matrix.
855 citations
TL;DR: Composite films of graphene and polystyreneslufonate doped poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (graphene/PEDOT-PSS) were deposited on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates by spin coating at room temperature and applied as counter electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells.
795 citations
TL;DR: An in-depth review on DSSC construction, operating principle, key problems (low efficiency, low scalability, and low stability), prospective efficient materials, and finally a brief insight to commercialization are provided.
Abstract: Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) belong to the group of thin-film solar cells which have been under extensive research for more than two decades due to their low cost, simple preparation methodology, low toxicity and ease of production. Still, there is lot of scope for the replacement of current DSSC materials due to their high cost, less abundance, and long-term stability. The efficiency of existing DSSCs reaches up to 12%, using Ru(II) dyes by optimizing material and structural properties which is still less than the efficiency offered by first- and second-generation solar cells, i.e., other thin-film solar cells and Si-based solar cells which offer ~ 20–30% efficiency. This article provides an in-depth review on DSSC construction, operating principle, key problems (low efficiency, low scalability, and low stability), prospective efficient materials, and finally a brief insight to commercialization.
547 citations
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TL;DR: The computed alignments of the molecular orbitals of the different complexes with the band edges of a model TiO(2) nanoparticle provide additional insights into the electronic factors governing the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell devices.
Abstract: We report a combined experimental and computational study of several ruthenium(II) sensitizers originated from the [Ru(dcbpyH2)2(NCS)2], N3, and [Ru(dcbpyH2)(tdbpy)(NCS)2], N621, (dcbpyH2 = 4,4‘-dicarboxy-2,2‘-bipyridine, tdbpy = 4,4‘-tridecyl-2,2‘-bipyridine) complexes. A purification procedure was developed to obtain pure N-bonded isomers of both types of sensitizers. The photovoltaic data of the purified N3 and N621 sensitizers adsorbed on TiO2 films in their monoprotonated and diprotonated state, exhibited remarkable power conversion efficiency at 1 sun, 11.18 and 9.57%, respectively. An extensive Density Functional Theory (DFT)−Time Dependent DFT study of these sensitizers in solution was performed, investigating the effect of protonation of the terminal carboxylic groups and of the counterions on the electronic structure and optical properties of the dyes. The calculated absorption spectra are in good agreement with the experiment, thus allowing a detailed assignment of the UV−vis spectral features ...
2,660 citations
TL;DR: The dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) as mentioned in this paper provides a technically and economically credible alternative concept to present day p-n junction photovoltaic devices, where light is absorbed by a sensitizer, which is anchored to the surface of a wide band gap oxide semiconductor.
Abstract: The dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) provides a technically and economically credible alternative concept to present day p–n junction photovoltaic devices. In contrast to the conventional silicon systems, where the semiconductor assumes 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 gap oxide 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 nanocrystalline 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 of 10.6% have been reached. New electrolytes based on ionic liquids have been developed that show excellent stability both under prolonged light soaking and high temperature stress. There are good prospects to produce these cells at lower cost than conventional devices. Here we present the current state of the field, and discuss the importance of mastering the interface of the mesoporous films by assisting the self-assembly of the sensitizer at the surface of the oxide nanocrystals.
2,148 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the incident photon to current efficiency (IPCE) of DSCs increases with increase in the haze of the TiO2 electrodes, especially in the near infrared wavelength region.
Abstract: Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) using titanium dioxide (TiO2) electrodes with different haze were investigated. It was found that the incident photon to current efficiency (IPCE) of DSCs increases with increase in the haze of the TiO2 electrodes, especially in the near infrared wavelength region. Conversion efficiency of 11.1%, measured by a public test center, was achieved using high haze TiO2 electrodes. This indicates that raising the haze of TiO2 electrodes is an effective technique for improvement of conversion efficiency.
1,844 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) was characterized using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to characterize the electrolyte/platinum interface of a DSC.
1,230 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a new type of photovoltaic module based on monolithically series connected dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells is described, where each solar cell element consists of three porous layers on a transparent conducting substrate.
1,171 citations