An All-Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell-Based Poly(<i>N</i>-alkyl-4-vinyl-pyridine iodide) Electrolyte with Efficiency of 5.64%

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A counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) was prepared by coating poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) with high transparency and adhesion on a conducting FTO glass at low temperature. The surface morphology, conductivity, sheet resistance, redox properties and photoelectric properties of the PEDOT:PSS/carbon electrodes were observed using scanning electron microscopy, a four-probe tester and a CHI660D electrochemical measurement system. The experimental results showed that DSSCs had the best photoelectric properties for PEDOT:PSS/carbon counter electrodes annealed at 80°C under vacuum conditions. The overall energy conversion efficiency of the DSSC with PEDOT:PSS/carbon counter electrode and barrier layer reached 7.61% under irradiation from a simulated solar light with intensity of 100 mW/cm 2 (AM 1.5). The excellent photoelectric properties, simple preparation procedure and low cost allow the PEDOT:PSS/carbon electrode to be a credible alternative electrode for use in DSSCs. Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) based on the sensitization of nanocrystalline TiO 2 by photoexcited dye molecules have been investigated intensively, and have made great progress since Gratzel [1-2] made the breakthrough on the DSSC in 1991. The DSSC became a new research focus because of its lower cost, simple fabrication process, high theoretical photoelectric conversion efficiency and its potential as an alternative to traditional photovoltaic devices, which have been researched from a basic small area in the laboratory to large area production. To date, DSSCs based on liquid electrolytes have reached efficiencies of more than 11% under AM1.5 illumination [3]. In general, DSSCs consists of a sandwich structure with a porous nanocrystalline TiO 2 film electrode sensitized by a dye to absorb visible light, a redox electrolyte, and a platinized counter electrode to collect electrons and catalyze the I 2 /I − redox-coupled regeneration reaction in the electrolyte [4]. The DSSC works as follows: a porous network of nanosize TiO 2 particles serves as a charge-transport medium, on which a monolayer of dye molecules is chemically adsorbed. Upon illumination, electrons are injected from the photoexcited dye into the conduction band of TiO 2 , while the holes shuttle toward the counter electrode through an iodide/triiodide (I − /I 3 − ) redox electrolyte. After this process is performed, the electron reaches the counter electrode and reduces the I 3 − ion and the electrical circuit is completed [5]. At present, the research on dye-sensitized solar cells is focused on the dye synthesis [6,7], electron transport process [8], photoanode [9][10][11][12], solid-state (or quasi-solid) electrolyte [13][14][15] and counter electrode. The counter electrode is an important component of the DSSC, usually containing platinum and conductive glass, which have a high performance capability for the catalytic to I 3 − process in the electrolyte, and enable efficient charge transfer at the electrode/electrolyte inte...

Section: Preparation Of Dye-sensitized Tio 2 Filmmentioning

confidence: 99%

A dye-sensitized solar cell based on PEDOT:PSS counter electrode

Yue

Xiao

et al. 2013

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“…The TiO 2 colloid was coated onto the Ti foil using a doctor-scraping technique. The thickness of the TiO 2 film was controlled by the thickness of the adhesive tape around the edge of the cleaned Ti foil [19][20][21]. After drying at room temperature, the TiO 2 thin films were sintered at 450°C for 30 min in air to give nanocrystalline TiO 2 films.…”

Section: Fabrication Of Flexible Tio 2 Film Electrodesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low temperature fabrication of high performance and transparent Pt counter electrodes for use in flexible dye-sensitized solar cells

Xiao

Cheng

et al. 2012

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“…The process was repeated for three times to form a thick TiO 2 film. The thickness of the TiO 2 nanocrystalline film was controlled by the thickness of adhesive tape around the edge of the cleaned ITO/PEN substrate [13,14]. The film was dried in moisture-free air and was irradiated with a ultraviolet light for a given time [8,15,16], the coated substrate was immersed in a 2.5×10 −4 mol/L ethanol solution of N719 for 24 h to adequately absorb the dye.…”

Section: Nanocrystalline Tio 2 Film Preparationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preparation of porous nanoparticle TiO2 films for flexible dye-sensitized solar cells

Wang

Lan

et al. 2011

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A TiO 2 paste was prepared by mixing commercial TiO 2 (P25), ethanol, distilled water and a small amount of Ti (IV) tetraisopropoxide (TTIP), following by a hydrothermal treatment. Before hydrothermal treatment, a stirring for 48 h can prevent cracking TiO 2 films. TTIP significantly promote the chemical connection between TiO 2 particles and its adherence to the substrate, the TTIP amount of 6 mol% is suitable. UV irradiation can remove some impurities and water from the TiO 2 film with an optimal time of 2 h. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and photovoltaic tests are characterized and measured. Short Since the prototype of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) was first reported in 1991, it has received widely interest because of its low cost and simple preparation, and DSSCs with photoelectric conversion efficiencies of 11% have been achieved [1,2]. DSSC consists of a conducting substrate, nano-porous oxide film, dye sensitizer, electrolyte and counter electrode. The conducting substrate usually is made of a transparent conductive glass, which limit DSSCs practical applications because of its weight, frangibility and high cost. DSSCs based on flexible substrate have attracted wide interest due to its merits, such as light weight, good flexibility, impact-proof, lower cost [3,4]. Besides, their shapes or surfaces can be devised and constructed, the technique of large-scale continuous production and rapid coating can be used, which further decrease the production cost [3][4][5][6]. The conventional method for obtaining an efficient electrode materials is the high-temperature calcination of nanocrystalline semiconductor particles. Colloidal pastes containing organic additives are often used, with the latter essential to suppress particle agglomeration and reduce stress during calcination. Crack-free well-adhered films with optimal mesoporous structure can then be obtained. Hightemperature annealing (> 400°C) can remove organic additives and promote chemical interconnection between particles to establish an electrical connection [7]. The requirement of high temperature clearly excludes using plastic-film substrates, and the development of low-temperature methods is necessary for the realization of flexible DSSCs. The current performance of such films is much lower than those prepared conventionally as above. The low-temperature preparation of TiO 2 films can result in incomplete interconnection with adjacent particles and poor adherence of the film to the substrate. Much efforts have been devoted to overcome the problems associated with preparing porous