“…Amongst the potential reasons highlighted for the poor conversion efficiency of the cathode within tandem DSSC, the more critical are the inefficient light absorption capability, poor charge injection efficiency and charge transport rate, along with inner resistance [13,14]. One method of improving this efficiency would be the preparation of p-type metal electrodes with a surface exhibiting high porosity without sacrificing the mechanical stability of the resulting coatings.…”
In this study the use of microwave plasma sintering of nickel oxide (NiO x ) particles for use as ptype photoelectrode coatings in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is investigated. NiO x was chosen as the photocathode for this application due to its stability, wide band gap and p-type 2 nature. For high light conversion efficiency DSSCs require a mesoporous structure exhibiting a high surface area. This can be achieved by sintering particles of NiO x onto a conductive substrate. In this study the use of both 2.45 GHz microwave plasma and conventional furnace sintering were compared for the sintering of the NiO x particles. Coatings 1 to 2.5 µm thick were obtained from the sintered particles (mean particle size of 50 nm) on 3 mm thick fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) coated glass substrates. Both the furnace and microwave plasma sintering treatments were carried out at ~450 ºC over a 5 minute period. Dye sensitization was carried out using Erythrosin B and the UV-vis absorption spectra of the NiO x coatings were compared. A 44% increase in the level of dye adsorption was obtained for the microwave plasma sintered samples as compared to that obtained through furnace treatments. While the photovoltaic performance of the DSSC fabricated using the microwave plasma treated NiO x coatings exhibited a tenfold increase in the conversion efficiency in comparison to the furnace treated samples. This enhanced performance was associated with the difference in the mesoporous structure of the sintered NiO x coatings.
“…Amongst the potential reasons highlighted for the poor conversion efficiency of the cathode within tandem DSSC, the more critical are the inefficient light absorption capability, poor charge injection efficiency and charge transport rate, along with inner resistance [13,14]. One method of improving this efficiency would be the preparation of p-type metal electrodes with a surface exhibiting high porosity without sacrificing the mechanical stability of the resulting coatings.…”
In this study the use of microwave plasma sintering of nickel oxide (NiO x ) particles for use as ptype photoelectrode coatings in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is investigated. NiO x was chosen as the photocathode for this application due to its stability, wide band gap and p-type 2 nature. For high light conversion efficiency DSSCs require a mesoporous structure exhibiting a high surface area. This can be achieved by sintering particles of NiO x onto a conductive substrate. In this study the use of both 2.45 GHz microwave plasma and conventional furnace sintering were compared for the sintering of the NiO x particles. Coatings 1 to 2.5 µm thick were obtained from the sintered particles (mean particle size of 50 nm) on 3 mm thick fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) coated glass substrates. Both the furnace and microwave plasma sintering treatments were carried out at ~450 ºC over a 5 minute period. Dye sensitization was carried out using Erythrosin B and the UV-vis absorption spectra of the NiO x coatings were compared. A 44% increase in the level of dye adsorption was obtained for the microwave plasma sintered samples as compared to that obtained through furnace treatments. While the photovoltaic performance of the DSSC fabricated using the microwave plasma treated NiO x coatings exhibited a tenfold increase in the conversion efficiency in comparison to the furnace treated samples. This enhanced performance was associated with the difference in the mesoporous structure of the sintered NiO x coatings.
“…Previous theoretical reviews (and the references within) of the development of transition metal mesoporous photosensitizers, provide a good outline of the different components of DSC [5,6]. A schematic description of the adsorbed dye molecules is shown in Figure 2.10.1080/14686996.2018.1492858-F0002Figure 2.Schematic of DSC components illustrating dye co-sensitization: C, dye chromophore; BAC, bulky alkyl chain; D, donor; A, acceptor; AG, anchoring group; I, TiO 2 /dye interface.…”
Section: Experimental and Theoretical Methodsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Previous reviews (and the references within) of the development of transition metal or organic dye sensitizers, provide a good outline of the different components of DSC devices [5,6]. In the following sections we first describe the components of DSCs from the experimental perspective.…”
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) have been the subject of wide-ranging studies for many years because of their potential for large-scale manufacturing using roll-to-roll processing allied to their use of earth abundant raw materials. Two main challenges exist for DSC devices to achieve this goal; uplifting device efficiency from the 12 to 14% currently achieved for laboratory-scale ‘hero’ cells and replacement of the widely-used liquid electrolytes which can limit device lifetimes. To increase device efficiency requires optimized dye injection and regeneration, most likely from multiple dyes while replacement of liquid electrolytes requires solid charge transporters (most likely hole transport materials – HTMs). While theoretical and experimental work have both been widely applied to different aspects of DSC research, these approaches are most effective when working in tandem. In this context, this perspective paper considers the key parameters which influence electron transfer processes in DSC devices using one or more dye molecules and how modelling and experimental approaches can work together to optimize electron injection and dye regeneration.
“…The dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is one of the most promising potential solar power sources [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. In 1996, Grätzel's research group proposed low-cost novel photovoltaic modules based on monolithically seriesconnected dye sensitized photoelectrochemical cells.…”
Abstract. This paper presents the study of the influence of thin film thickness of working electrodes on the photovoltaic characteristics of dye-sensitized solar cells. Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) thin films, with the thickness from 7.67 to 24.3 μm, were used to fabricate the working electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). A TiO 2 film was coated on a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) conductive glass substrate and then sintered in a high-temperature furnace. On the other hand, platinum (Pt) solution was coated onto an FTO substrate for the fabrication of the counter electrode of a DSSC. The working electrode immersed in a dye, the counter electrode, and the electrolyte were assembled to complete a sandwich-structure DSSC. The material analysis of the TiO 2 films of DSSCs was carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, while the photovoltaic characteristics of DSSCs were measured by an AM-1.5 sunlight simulator. The light transmittance characteristics of the TiO 2 working electrode depend on the TiO 2 film thickness. The thin film thickness of the working electrode also affects the light absorption of a dye and results in the photovoltaic characteristics of the DSSC, including open-circuited voltage (V OC ), short-circuited current density (J SC ), fill factor, and photovoltaic conversion efficiency.
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