This paper presents an overview of the research carried out by a European consortium with the aim to develop and test new and improved ways to realise dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC) with enhanced efficiencies and stabilities. Several new areas have been explored in the field of new concepts and materials, fabrication protocols for TiO2 and scatterlayers, metal oxide blocking layers, strategies for co-sensitization and low temperature processes of platinum deposition. Fundamental understanding of the working principles has been gained by means of electrical and optical modelling and advanced characterization techniques. Cost analyses have been made to demonstrate the potential of DSC as a low cost thin film PV technology. The combined efforts have led to maximum non-certified power conversion efficiencies under full sunlight of 11% for areas < 0 center dot 2 cm(2) and 10 center dot 1% for a cell with an active area of 1 center dot 3 cm(2). Lifetime studies revealed negligible device degradation after 1000hrs of accelerated tests under thermal stress at 80 degrees C in the dark and visible light soaking at 60 degrees C. An outlook summarizing future directions in the research and large-scale production of DSC is presented
In this paper, we report on the outcome of a German network project conducted with 12 partners from universities and research institutes on the material development of dye solar cells (DSC). We give an overview in the field and evaluate the concept of monolithic DSC further with respect to upscaling and producibility on glass substrates. We have developed a manufacturing process for monolithic DSC modules which is entirely based on screen printing. Similar to our previous experience gained in the sealing of standard DSC, the encapsulation of the modules is achieved in a fusing step by soldering of glass frit layers. For use in monolithic DSC, a platinum free, conductive counter electrode layer, showing a charge transfer resistance of R CT < 1Á5 V cm 2 , has been realized by firing a graphite/carbon black composite under an inert atmosphere. Glass frit sealed monolithic test cells have been prepared using this platinum-free material. A solar efficiency of 6% on a 2Á0 cm 2 active cell area has been achieved in this case. Various types of non-volatile imidazolium-based binary ionic liquid electrolytes have been synthesized and optimized with respect to diffusion-limited currents and charge transfer resistances in DSC. In addition, quasi-solid-state electrolytes have been successfully tested by applying inorganic (SiO 2 ) physical gelators. For the use in semi-transparent DSC modules, a polyol process has been developed which resulted in the preparation of screen printed, transparent catalytic platinum layers showing an extremely low charge transfer resistance (0Á25 V cm 2 ).
The properties of alkali-activated materials (AAMs) depend on both the type of raw material used and their production procedure. This article presents an inexpensive and easily accessible method, based on using thermistors with a negative temperature coefficient, to analyse phenomena during the geopolymerisation process of AAMs. The described method enables prediction of the final physical and mechanical properties of tested materials and allows unambiguous determination of the quality of raw metakaolin materials in terms of their suitability for geopolymerisation processes and AAM production. This statement was proved by comparing AAMs formed based on metakaolin from three different sources. This article also describes the results of the mineralogical analysis, density, particle size distribution and morphology of the three metakaolins. In addition, the compression strength and FT-Raman spectroscopy of the AAM produced are described. Even though all materials were referred to as metakaolin, the results of this study showed that calcined materials can significantly differentiate the geopolymerisation process and final physical and mechanical properties of AAM.
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