High efficiency solid-state photovoltaic device due to inhibition of interface charge recombination

Abstract

The performance of solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells based on spiro-MeOTAD was considerably improved by controlling charge recombination across the interface of the heterojunction. This was achieved by blending the hole conductor matrix with a combination of 4-tert-butylpyridine (tBP) and Li[CF3SO2]2N. Open circuit voltages Uoc over 900 mV and short circuit currents Isc up to 5.1 mA were obtained, yielding an overall efficiency of 2.56% at AM1.5 illumination. These values have been fully confirmed at the National Renewable Energy Laboratories for a device with an active area of 1.07 cm2, signifying a dramatic improvement compared to previously reported values for a similar device.

Surface Passivation of Nanoporous TiO2 via Atomic Layer Deposition of ZrO2 for Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Applications

“…These additives serve to control the doping level of the spiro-OMeTAD and also to enhance conductivity as well as overall cell performance. 29 The hole conductor solution was drop-cast onto the dye-sensitized TiO 2 films and allowed to infiltrate the pores before spin-casting at 1800 and 260 rpm/s acceleration for 40 s. Excess solution was carefully wiped with toluene and the films were dried overnight in a vacuum oven at 55°C. A 50 nm gold electrode was then thermally evaporated under high vacuum (10 -6 Torr) at <0.2 Å/s to complete the cell.…”

Correlation between Photovoltaic Performance and Impedance Spectroscopy of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Based on Ionic Liquids

“…4,5 Several options are being investigated to substitute the organic solvent-containing electrolyte by a solid or low volatility phase. [6][7][8][9][10] In this respect, recent works on the use of room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) is particularly relevant. [11][12][13] RTILs are promising for many electrochemical systems such as actuators, batteries, supercapacitors, electrochromic windows, displays, photovoltaic cells, and light-emitting electrochemical cells.…”

Efficient quasi-solid dye sensitized solar cells employing molten salt electrolyte

“…However, they still contain volatile components. It has been reported that the viscosity of imidazolium salts decreased and the photovoltaic performance increased when more than 0.5 M iodine was added to the molten salt [14][15][16]. Addition of a large amount of iodine increased the short circuit current but decreased the open circuit voltage because of the increase in dark current.…”