Interfacial Recombination Processes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells and Methods To Passivate the Interfaces

Gregg, Brian A.; Pichot, François; Ferrere, and Suzanne; Fields, Clark L.

doi:10.1021/jp003000u

Cited by 499 publications

(528 citation statements)

References 48 publications

(70 reference statements)

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“…1c). 30,38,39 In our case we employ carboxylic acid (R-COOH) functionalized molecules, a commonly used binding group to TiO 2 . Once grafted to the semiconductor surface, the passivation of midgap states is observed as the Fermi level is shifted (see ESI S1 †).…”

Section: Sams To Passivate the Metal-semiconductor Interfacementioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular interfaces for plasmonic hot electron photovoltaics

2015

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Section: Sams To Passivate the Metal-semiconductor Interfacementioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular interfaces for plasmonic hot electron photovoltaics

2015

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“…Wang and co-workers [42] reported prolonged electron lifetimes and increased Voc and Jsc by using CaCO3 for surface passivation. Gregg et al [8,43] formed a blocking layer on the mesoporous electrode after dye adsorption by a silanization treatment. Their aim was to block parts of the electrode not covered by the dye from the electrolyte so that they could use fast one-electron redox couples.…”

Section: Blocking Layermentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells by photoanode surface modifications

Sun

Dou

et al. 2016

Sci. China Mater.

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Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) provide a promising alternative solar cell technology because of their high efficiency, environmental friendliness, easy fabrication, and low cost. Power conversion efficiency is an important parameter to measure the performance of DSSCs, but the severe charge recombination that occurs at the photoanode hinders the future improvement of power conversion efficiency. Therefore, one of the key goals for achieving high efficiency is to reduce the energy loss caused by the unwanted charge recombination at various interfaces. From this perspective, surface modification of the photoanode is the simplest method among the various approaches available in the literature for enhancing the performance of DSSCs by inhibiting the interfacial charge recombination. After some brief notes on DSSCs, in this review, we present a comprehensive discussion on surface modifications of different photoanodes that have been adopted in the literature not only for reducing recombination but also for enhancing light harvesting. Depending on the electrode materials, we discuss surface modifications of binary oxides such as TiO2 and ZnO and ternary oxides, including Zn2SnO4, SrSnO3, and BaSnO3. We also talk about methods of surface modification and the materials suitable for surface treatment. Finally, we end with a brief future outlook of DSSCs.

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“…In order to retard the unexpected recombination, various technologies have been used, such as atomic layer deposition, to produce surface coatings onto the nanoporous films. But the results were not satisfied due to the dilemma of injection and recombination [31]. Very recently Daeneke et al [32] have reported a highly efficient DSC based on the Fc + /Fc couple in combination with a carbazole donor-acceptor organic dye.…”

Section: Transition Metal Complexes Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alternate redox electrolytes in dye-sensitized solar cells

Bai

et al. 2012

Chin. Sci. Bull.

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Dye-sensitized mesoscopic solar cell (DSC) has been intensively investigated as a promising photovoltaic cell. Redox electrolyte is important to determine the photovoltaic (PV) performance of the DSC devices, which has become the focus of this topic. In this contribution, recent advances in understanding and controlling of various redox couples are reviewed. Specially, we extend our discussion on the trends that enable iodide-free redox couples to be controllable and feasible for applications in the DSC with promising features. BackgroundMore and more people are realizing that the worldwide demand for energy has been massively increased and this situation will continue till a finial solution exists. However, several reports reveal that the production of oil, as one of the main energy sources, will soon be unable to keep up with the growing demand, thus leading to dire economic consequences. In order to sustain global political, economic and environmental stability, it is necessary to get an abundant supply of energy. Moreover, the development of carbon-free sources of energy becomes one of the major scientific challenges for us. As a potential alternative energy resource, solar energy has received extensive attention around the world after the energy crisis in 1970s [1]. Solar cells convert solar energy directly into electricity, which has become a major research interest within academia and industry. Approximately 90% of the PV units produced today are made from crystalline silicon (known as first generation solar cell), which is composed of large area p-n junctions, and others from thin films devices based on amorphous silicon (second generation solar cell, including CdTe, CIGS and other compound semiconductors). These devices based on p-n heterojunctions absorb part of the sunlight (absorption from 0.8-0.9 eV) and convert this light energy into electrical energy by the photovoltaic effect. Laboratory devices with efficiencies over 25% have been demonstrated, and the best commercial cells have now reached efficiencies of 17%-18% [2]. However, the high cost effectiveness of these devices still drives people to develop new type of solar cells expecting to possess high efficiency and low cost. The dominance of the photovoltaic market by inorganic solid-state junction devices is now being challenged by the emergence of a third generation of cells. Among them the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC, also known as Grätzel cell) with a new type of charge separation mechanism is a promising potential candidate [3]. The DSC, with a sandwich structure, is mainly composed of a mesoporous nanocrystalline network of wide band gap semiconductor (typically TiO 2 ), a monolayer of dye molecules (such as ruthenium dye) attached to the semiconductor, a redox electrolyte (typically I − /I 3 − ) and a platinum counter electrode. Figure 1 shows the basic structure and operating principle of the DSC. Basically, upon illumination, electrons in the sensitizer dye are photo-excited to be the excited states, followed by an electron injecti...

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Interfacial Recombination Processes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells and Methods To Passivate the Interfaces

Cited by 499 publications

References 48 publications

Molecular interfaces for plasmonic hot electron photovoltaics

Molecular interfaces for plasmonic hot electron photovoltaics

Improving the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells by photoanode surface modifications

Alternate redox electrolytes in dye-sensitized solar cells

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