A Photoelectrochemical Study of Hybrid Organic and Donor—Acceptor Dyes as Sensitizers for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

An investigation on the photoelectrochemical and sensitizing properties of two different hybrid organic dyes, anchored as sensitizers on mesoporous TiO2, in Grätzel solar cells, is presented. Firstly, we studied the absorption properties of the C106 sensitizer, a Ru polypyridine complex, and of the Y123, an organic push and pull dye. In this work, we characterized these two dyes, employing two different electrolytes, with similar experimental condition and device parameters. From the J–V curves and IPCE photo action spectra, we performed an inedited bifacial study based on the comparison of their photovoltaic performances, exploiting several backgrounds (black or white). Among the obtained results from this study, we found the best bifaciality factor of 93% for C106 and the best power conversion efficiency of 12.8% for Y123. These results represent, concerning these two dyes and to the best of our knowledge, some of the highest values in literature.

Solid‐State Monolithic Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cell Exceeding 10% Efficiency Using a Copper‐Complex Hole Transport Material and a Carbon Counter‐Electrode

“…Due to the high extinction coefficient, Y123 is favorable for use with a thin (less than 7 μm) mesoporous electron scaffold layer. [ 24 ]…”

“…Due to the high extinction coefficient, Y123 is favorable for use with a thin (less than 7 μm) mesoporous electron scaffold layer. [24] High potential of Cu(II/I) redox shuttle of %0.90 V (vs. SHE) ensures impressive V OC , promising theoretically possible values of 1.37 V. Considering the work function of carbon (-5.0 eV) and hypothetically translating it into the electrochemical scale [25] at around 0.5 V, V OC of 1 V is quite feasible in the solid device. Figure 4b schematically shows a cross section of M-DSSC layers assembly.…”

Bifacial dye-sensitized solar cells for indoor and outdoor renewable energy-based application

“…Despite this, these impediments can be effectively addressed through astute optimization strategies. 144 These strategies are expected to include enhanced optical transparency at ideal conductive concentrations, superior physical and chemical attributes such as solubility, non-volatility, and thermal stability, and advancements in cumulative PCE and BFF under rear illumination. To address these challenges, there has long been a growing interest among researchers to investigate transition metal complexes as promising alternatives for redox mediators.…”

Optically Transparent Gold Nanoparticles for DSSC Counter-Electrode: An Electrochemical Characterization

“…To test the J-V performances of the gold nanoparticles deposited by chemical reduction, we focused on improving a device's fabrication. The latest optimized DSSCs were sealed using a 25-µm-thick Surlyn frame, as described in [6], and a thermal press. Commercial HSE electrolyte was used as a reference electrolyte to test the gold nanoparticles' cathode.…”

“…Electrons from the external circuit, passing through the catalyst on the cathode, regenerate the redox couple and, in this way, the cycle is closed and it can continue (Figure 1a). In recent years, researchers in PV technologies have been attracted by the uncommon characteristics of transparency [1,2], bifaciality [5,6], the working capacity under a low sunlight intensity and the potential inclusion of friendly components [7][8][9][10] that can ensure applications in building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV), indoor environments [11] and greenhouses [12][13][14]. Transparency is ensured by the combination of different factors within the device: a low semiconductor thickness, the choice of the wavelength's dye absorption, the transparency of the electrolyte and that of the cathode.…”