Efficient flexible dye-sensitized solar cells from rear illumination based on different morphologies of titanium dioxide photoanode

The TiO_(2) with nanoparticles(NPs),nanowires(NWs),nanorods(NRs)and nanotubes(NTs)structures were prepared by using a in-situ hydrothermal technique,and then proposed as a photoanode for flexible dye-sensitized solar cell(FDSSC).The influences of the morphology of TiO_(2) on the photovoltaic performances of FDSSCs were investigated.Under rear illumination of 100 mW·cm^(−2),the power conversion efficiencies of FDSSCs achieved 6.96%,7.36%,7.65%,and 7.83%with the TiO_(2) photoanodes of NPs,NWs,NRs,and NTs and PEDOT counter electrode.The FDSSCs based on TiO_(2) NRs and NTs photoanodes have higher short circuit current densities and power conversion efficiencies than that of the others.The enhanced power conversion efficiency is responsible for their nanotubes and rod-shaped ordered structures,which are more beneficial to transmission of electron and hole in semiconductor compared to the TiO_(2) nanoparticles and nanowires disordered structure.

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Schiff Base for Enhanced Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Photo-Response Mechanism

The efficient photo-response mechanism is one of the key factors in the commercialization of dye-sensitized solar cells in a bid to satisfy renewable energy demands. Progress in green technology has put solar energy on the front burner as a provider of clean and affordable energy for a sustainable society. We report the synthesis of a novel Schiff base with optical transparency in the visible and near IR region of the solar spectrum that can find application in the DSSCs photo-response mechanism. The synthesized crystal exhibited features that could handle some of the shortcomings of dye-sensitized solar cells which include wide band solar spectrum absorption and capability for swift charge transfer within the photoelectrodes. The synthesized Schiff base was characterized using x-ray diffractometer, UV/Visible spectrometer, Frontier transmission infrared spectrometer and conductometer. XRD data revealed the grown crystal to have an average crystallite size of 2.08 nm with average microstrain value of about 269.43. The FT-IR recorded transmission wave ѵ (CO) at 1207.7 cm−1 while dominant wave occurred at ѵ1654.9 and ѵ1592.3 cm−1 relating to ѵ (CN) stretching and ѵ (NH) bending respectively were observed. The IR spectrum revealed the bonding species and a probable molecular structure of 2,6-bis(benzyloxy)pyridine. The UV/Visible spectra convoluted to maximum peak within the near IR region suggesting that 2,6-bis(benzyloxy)pyridine can absorb both the visible and near IR region while its electrical conductivity was determined to be 4.58 µS/cm. The obtained result of the present study revealed promising characteristics of a photosensitizer that can find application in the photo-response mechanism of DSSCs.

Dye-sensitized Solar Cells with Higher J_(sc) by Using Polyvinylidene Fluoride Membrane Counter Electrodes

A flexible counter electrode(CE) for dye-sensitized solar cells(DSCs) has been fabricated using a micro-porous polyvinylidene fluoride membrane as support media and sputtered Pt as the catalytic material.Non-conventional structure DSCs have been developed by the fabricated CEs. The Pt metal was sputtered onto one surface of the membrane as the catalytic material. DSCs were assembled by attaching the Ti O2 electrode to the membrane surface without Pt coating. The membrane was with cylindrical pore geometry. It served not only as a substrate for the CE but also as a spacer for the DSC. The fabricated DSC with the flexible membrane CE showed higher photocurrent density than the conventional sandwich devices based on chemically deposited Pt/FTO glass, achieving a photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 4.43%. The results provides useful information in investigation and development of stable, low-cost, simple-design, flexible and lightweight DSCs.

Novel micro-ring structured ZnO photoelectrode for dye-sensitized solar cell

The micro-ring like structured zinc oxide(ZnO) film was deposited on SnO_2: F coated glass substrate by sol-gel dip-coating technique with 1.0 g polyethylene glycol(PEG) content. The surface morphology of micro-ring structured ZnO film has been confirmed by the scanning electron microscope. This ZnO film is used to fabricate the solar cell with the help of ruthenium based dye and carbon counter electrode. The photoelectric and incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency was 1.17% and 48.4%, respectively. The DSC results have been compared with ZnO films prepared without PEG contents.

Recent Progress of Counter Electrodes in Nanocrystalline Dye-sensitized Solar Cells

Dye-sensitized solar cell （DSC） consists a combination of several different materials： photoanodes with nanoparticulated semiconductors, sensitizers, electrolytes and counter electrodes （CEs）. Each materials performs specific task for the conversion of solar energy into electricity. The main function of CE is to transfer electrons to the redox electrolyte and regenerate iodide ion. The work of CE is mainly focused on the studies of the kinetic performance and stability of the traditional CEs to improve the overall efficiency of DSC, seeking novel design concepts or new materials. In this review, the development and research progress of different CE materials and their electrochemical performance, and the problems are discussed.

Preparation and performance of dye-sensitized solar cells based on ZnO-modified TiO_2 electrodes

The ZnO-modified TiO2 electrode was prepared by adding Zn（CH3COO）2·2H2O to the TiO2 colloid during the sol-gel production process, and was used in dye-sensitized solar cells （DSCs）. The open circuit voltage （Voc） and fill factor （if） of the cells were improved sig- nificantly. The performances of the ZnO-modified TiO2 electrode such as dark current, transient photocurrent, impedance, absorption spectra, and fiat band potential （Vfb） were investigated. It is found that the interface charge recombination impedance increases and Vfb shifts about 200 mV toward the cathodic potential. The effect mechanism of ZnO modification on the performance of DSCs may be that ZnO occupies the surface states of the TiO2 film.

Unique ZnS nanobuns decorated with reduced graphene oxide as an efficient and low-cost counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

Unique ZnS nanobuns decorated with reduced graphene oxide （ROO） was synthesized and found to exhibit a synergetic effect as a highly efficient and low-cost counter electrode （CE） in dye-sensitized solar cells （DSCs）. Using this ZnS-ROO CE, a power conversion efficiency （PCE） of 7.03% was achieved. This value was 53% and 41 % higher than those of pure ZnS and ROO CEs, respectively. The ZnS-ROO nanocomposite is indeed an efficient and cost-effective Pt-like alternative for iodine reduction reaction.

A new D–D–π–A dye for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

New metal-free organic dye sensitizers containing mono-triphenylamine or bis-triphenylamine as the electron donor, a thiophene as the π-conjugated system, and a cyanoacrylic acid moiety as the electron acceptor were synthesized. The optical and electrochemical properties of the dyes were investigated,and their performance as sensitizers in solar cells was evaluated. Dye-sensitized solar cells based on dye containing bis-triphenylamine as the electron donor produced a photon-to-current conversion efficiency of 6.06%（Jsc = 14.21 m A/cm;, Voc = 0.62 V, ff = 0.69） under 100 m W/cm;simulated AM 1.5 G solar irradiation（100 m W/cm;）.

Effects of structure and electronic properties of D-π-A organic dyes on photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells

Herein,we examine the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells containing five D-π-A organic dyes designed by systematic modification of π-bridge size and geometric structure.Each dye has a simple push-pull structure with a triarylamino group as an electron donor,bithiophene-4,4-dimethyl-4 H-cyclopenta 1,2-b:5,4-b’]dithiophene(M11),4,4-dimethyl-4 H-cyclopenta[1,2-b:5,4-b’]dithiophenethiophene(M12),thiophene-4,4-dimethyl-4 H-cyclopenta[1,2-b:5,4-b’]dithiophene(M13),4,4-dimethyl-4 H-cyclopenta[1,2-b:5,4-b’]dithiophene-benzene(M14),and 4,4-dimethyl-4 H-cyclopenta[1,2-b:5,4-b’]dithiophene(M15)units asπ-bridges,and cyanoacrylic acid as an electron acceptor/anchor.The extension of theπ-bridge linkage favors wide-range absorption but,because of the concomitant molecular volume increase,hinders the efficient adsorption of dyes on the TiO_(2) film surface.Hence,higher loadings are achieved for smaller dye molecules,resulting in(i)a shift of the TiO_(2) conduction band edge to more negative values,(ii)a greater photocurrent,and(iii)suppressed charge recombination between the photoanode and the redox couple in the electrolyte.Consequently,under one-sun equivalent illumination(AM 1.5 G,100 mW/cm^(2)),the highest photovoltage,photocurrent,and conversion efficiency(η=7.19%)are observed for M15,which has the smallest molecular volume among M series dyes.

High efficiency and stable solid-state fiber dye-sensitized solar cells obtained using TiO_(2) photoanodes enhanced with metal organic frameworks

Solid-state fiber dye-sensitized solar cells(SS-FDSSCs) have been the subject of intensive attention and development in recent years. Although this field is only in its infancy, metal–organic frameworks(MOFs) are one such material that has been utilized to further improve the power conversion efficiency of solar cells. In this study, MOF-integrated DSSCs were shown to have potential in the development of solar cell devices with efficiency comparable to or better than that of conventional solar cells. The power conversion efficiency(PCE) of SS-FDSSCs was improved by embedding MOF-801 into a mesoporous-TiO_(2)(mp-TiO_(2)) layer, which was used as a photoanode in SS-FDSSCs, which are inherently flexible. The PCE of the MOF-integrated SS-FDSSCs was 6.50%, which is comparable to that of the reference devices(4.19%).The MOF-801 enhanced SS-FDSSCs decreased the series resistance(R_(s)) value, resulting in effective electron extraction with improved short-circuit current density(J_(SC)), while also increasing the shunt resistance(R_(sh)) value to prevent the recombination of photo-induced electrons. The result is an improved fill factor and, consequently, a higher value for the PCE.

Enhanced Electrocatalytic Activity by RGO/MWCNTs/NiO Counter Electrode for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells

We applied the reduced graphene oxide/multi-walled carbon nanotubes/nickel oxide(RGO/MWCNTs/Ni O)nanocomposite as the counter electrode(CE) in dye-sensitized solar cells(DSSCs) on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates by blade doctor method. Power conversion efficiency(PCE) of 8.13 % was achieved for this DSSCs device, which is higher than that of DSSCs devices using Ni O, RGO, and RGO/Ni O-CE(PCE = 2.71 %, PCE = 6.77 % and PCE = 7.63 %). Also, the fill factor of the DSSCs devices using the RGO/MWCNTs/Ni O-CE was better than that of other CEs. The electron transfer measurement of cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed that RGO/MWCNTs/Ni O film could provide fast electron transfer between the CE and the electrolyte, and high electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of triiodide in a CE based on RGO/MWCNTs/Ni O in a DSSC.

Synthesis and application of TiO_2 single-crystal nanorod arrays grown by multicycle hydrothermal for dye-sensitized solar cells

TiO2 is a wide band gap semiconductor with important applications in photovoltaic cells. Vertically aligned Tit2 nanorod arrays （NRs） are grown on the fluorine-doped tin oxide （FTO） substrates by a multicycle hydrothermal synthesis process. The samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy （HRTEM）, and selected-area electron diffraction （SAED）. It is found that dye-sensitized solar cells （DSSCs） assembled by the as-prepared Tit2 single-crystal NRs exhibit different trends under the condition of different nucleation and growth concentrations. Optimum cell performance is obtained with high nucleation concentration and low growth cycle concentration. The efficiency enhancement is mainly attributed to the improved specific surface area of the nanorod.

Low platinum loading PtNPs/graphene composite catalyst with high electrocatalytic activity for dye-sensitized solar cells

Platinum nanoparticles （PtNPs）/graphene composite materials are synthesized by a controlled chemical reduction of H2PtC16 on graphene sheets. The electrocatalytic activity of a PtNPs/graphene composite counter electrode for a dye-sensitized solar cell （DSSC） is investigated. The results demonstrate that the PtNPs/graphene composite has high electrocatalytic activity for the dye-sensitized solar cell. The cell employing PtNPs （1.6 wt%）/graphene counter electrode reaches an conversion efficiency （η） of 3.89% upon the excitation of 100 mW/cm2 AM 1.5 white light, which is comparable to that of the cell with a Pt-film counter electrode （7 = 3.76%）. It suggests that one can use only 14% Pt content of the conventional Pt-film counter electrode to obtain a comparable conversion efficiency. It may be possible to obtain a high performance DSSC using the PtNPs/graphene composite with a very low Pt content as a counter electrode due to its simplicity, low cost, and large scalability.

Facile fabrication of TiO_2 nanoparticle–TiO_2 nanofiber composites by co-electrospinning–electrospraying for dye-sensitized solar cells

We report a facile method for the fabrication of TiO2 nanofiber-nanoparticle composite （FP） via. simulta- neous electrospraying and electrospinning for dye-sensitized solar cell （DSC） applications. The loading of nanoparticles on the fibers is controlled by varying their feed rates during electrospinning. The FP composites having three different particle loading are prepared by the methodology and the FP with the highest particle loading （denoted as FP-3 in the manuscript） showed the best overall efficiency of 9.15% in comparison to the other compositions of the FP （FP-2, 8.15% and FP-1, Z51%, respectively） and nanofibers （F） and nanoparticles （P） separately （7.21 and 7.81, respectively）. All the material systems are characterized by spec- troscopy, microscopy, surface area measurements and the devices are characterized by current-voltage （I-V）, incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency （IPCE）, electrochemical impedance measurements, etc. I-V, dye-loading and reflectance measurements throw light on the overall performance of the DSC devices.

Recent research progress on quasi-solid-state electrolytes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells （DSSCs） are the most promising, low cost and most extensively investigated solar cells. They are famous for their clean and efficient solar energy conversion. Nevertheless this, long-time sta- bility is still to be acquired. In recent years research on solid and quasi-solid state electrolytes is extensively in- creased. Various quasi-solid electrolytes, including composites polymer electrolytes, ionic liquid electrolytes, thermoplastic polymer electrolytes and thermosetting polymer electrolytes have been used. Performance and stability of a quasi-solid state electrolyte are between liquid and solid electrolytes. High photovoltaic performances of QS-DSSCs along better long-term stability can be obtained by designing and optimizing quasi-solid electrolytes. It is a prospective candidate for highly efficient and stable DSSCs.

Preparation of Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes/Graphene Composites with Cadmium Sulfide in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs)

In the present work, Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) have been fabricated by utilizing a dense layer of photoelctrode cadmium sulfide thin film (CdS) as n-type, which prepared by spray coating, while p-type electrode was multi-wall carbon nanotubes/graphene (MWNT-G) composites. The experimental results showed the higher energy conversion efficiency for CdS/MWNT-G was 0.056% in comparison with the others, which were CdS/MWNT with 0.044% and CdS/G with 0.037% respectively, which referred to improvement in the conductivity by using MWNT-G. The microstructure and nanostructure of CdS, MWNT, G, and MWNT-G nanocomposite were carried out by employing Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) has been used to get crystal size of CdS, Raman scattering, and optical absorption also used for characterizations the samples. This study promised to increase and enhance the conversion efficiency of photovoltaic devices.

Dye-sensitized solar cells: Atomic scale investigation of interface structure and dynamics

Recent progress in dye-sensitized solar cells （DSC） research is reviewed, focusing on atomic-scale investigations of the interface electronic structures and dynamical processes, including the structure of dye adsorption onto Ti02, ultrafast electron injection, hot-electron injection, multiple-exciton generation, and electron-hole recombination. Advanced exper- imental techniques and theoretical approaches are briefly summarized, and then progressive achievements in photovoltaic device optimization based on insights from atomic scale investigations are introduced. Finally, some challenges and oppor- tunities for further improvement of dye solar cells are presented.

Theoretical design and experimental synthesis of counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells: Amino-functionalized graphene

For some specific catalytic reaction, how to construct active sites on two dimensional materials is of great scientific significance. Dye-sensitized solar cells（DSCs） can be viewed as one representative photovoltaics because in which liquid electrolyte with triiodide/iodide（I;/I;） as redox couples are involved. In this study, amino-functionalized graphene（AFG） has been designed according to theoretically analyzing iodine reduction reaction（IRR） processes and rationally screening the volcanic plot. Then, such AFG has been successfully synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method and shows high electrocatalytic activity towards IRR when serving as counter electrode in DSCs. Finally, a high conversion efficiency of 7.39% by AFG-based DSCs was obtained, which is close to that using Pt as counter electrode.

Light scattering of nanocrystalline TiO_2 film used in dye-sensitized solar cells

This paper studies the light scattering and adsorption of nanocrystalline TiO2 porous films used in dye-sensitized solar cells composed of anatase and/or rutile particles by using an optical four-flux radiative transfer model. These light properties are difficult to measure directly on the functioning solar cells and they can not be calculated easily from the first-principle computational or quantitative theoretical evaluations. These simulation results indicate that the light scattering of 1 25 nm TiO2 particles is negligible, but it is effective in the range of 80 and 180 nm. A suitable mixture of small particles （10 nm radius）, which are resulted in a large effective surface, and of larger particles （150 nm radius）, which are effective light scatterers, have the potential to enhance solar absorption significantly. The futile crystals have a larger refractive index and thus the light harvest of the mixtures of such larger rutile and relatively small anatase particles is improved in comparison with that of pure anatase films. The light absorption of the 10μm double-layered films is also examined. A maximal light absorption of double-layered film is gotten when the thickness of the first layer of 10 urn-sized anatase particles is comparable to that of the second larger rutile layer.

Dye-sensitized solar cell module realized photovoltaic and photothermal highly efficient conversion via three-dimensional printing technology

Three-dimensional （3D） printing technology is employed to improve the photovoltaic and photothermal conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell （DSC） module. The 3D-printed concentrator is optically designed and improves the photovoltaic efficiency of the DSC module from 5.48% to 7.03%. Additionally, with the 3D-printed microfluidic device serving as water cooling, the temperature of the DSC can be effectively controlled, which is beneficial for keeping a high photovoltaic conversion efficiency for DSC module. Moreover, the 3D-printed microfluidic device can realize photothermal conversion with an instantaneous photothermal efficiency of 42.1%. The integrated device realizes a total photovoltaic and photothermal conversion efficiency of 49% at the optimal working condition.