Characterization of N719 Dye Desorption on TiO₂ Nanotube Arrays Used for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

In this work, we developed a method to quantitative analyze the absorption and desorption of N719 dye on TiO2 nanotube arrays. TiO2 nanotube arrays were fabricated by anodizing titanium foils in an organic electrolyte using a two-electrode configuration with a platinum mesh as the counter electrode. TiO2 nanotube arrays were then annealed under 450 °Cfor 3 hours and immersed in N719 dye solution for 24 hours. The dye-sensitized TiO2 nanotube arrays were soaked in an electrolyte solution and stored in a dark closed vessel for 76 days. Then they were desorbed by KOH solution (pH=10). According to UV-visible absorption spectra and Lambert-Beer's law, the desorption rate of N719 dye on 9 µm thick TiO2 nanotube arrays was calculated to be 36%. The results provide a valuable reference to study the dye desorption and stability of the dye-sensitized solar cells.

Passivation of the TiO2 Surface and Promotion of N719 Dye Anchoring with Poly(4-vinylpyridine) for Efficient and Stable Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

“…The highest 1 Sun PCE improvement occurs for a polymer concentration of 30 μM: from 5.4% of the reference cell to 7.5% and from 6.5% of the reference cell to 9% with P4VP, in simultaneous and sequential adsorption, respectively. It is noteworthy here that based on N719 dye devices produced using conventional CDCA, the co-adsorbent may allow as high PCE as 9.5% when thoroughly optimized; in this study, devices with CDCA displayed 8% in average of three cells showing the promise of the P4VP co-adsorbent.…”

“…The adsorbed concentration of the dye on the mesoporous TiO 2 layer was determined as described elsewhere …”

“…30 The adsorbed concentration of the dye on the mesoporous TiO 2 layer was determined as described elsewhere. 31 Characterization. The current vs applied potential (I−V) response of the cells was recorded using a Zennium (Zahner) electrochemical station at temperature 20 ± 1 °C.…”