Research and Development of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells in the Center for Molecular Devices: From Molecules to Modules

Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) represent a relatively new photovoltaic technology with great potential: investment costs for initiating production are low and manufacturing costs below 0.5 US$/W peak are predicted. Furthermore, DSC offers the possibility of various colors and attractive designs, such as semitransparent modules. Record solar cell efficiencies are 11% for DSCs containing liquid redox electrolyte and 6% for DSCs with solid hole conductors. Promising stability data suggesting more than 20 years lifetime has been achieved. This paper presents the Center for Molecular Devices (CMD) in Sweden, which has as its objective to investigate and develop DSCs. Using a multi-disciplinary approach, significant advances in the scientific understanding of DSCs have been made, such as the demonstration of the presence of an internal electric field at the semiconductor / dye / electrolyte interface. Furthermore, novel components, such as triphenylamine-based dyes and cobalt-based mediator have been successfully tested. Finally, a monolithic DSC module technology with good performance is presented.

Electrical/optical dual-function redox potential transistor

“…Nanoparticle materials, like ZnO, can also be further developed or replaced to improve the ON/OFF current ratio (>10 4 ) and this can be done by using highly resistive, smaller sized (~5 nm) nanoparticle with better film forming property to avoid leakage induced by trapping of the subsequently coated conductive nanoparticle into the voids or defects. The lifespan of the fabricated devices should be similar to that of DSSC devices, and a typical DSSC life-time is estimated to be longer than 15 years under harsh out-door condition 30 . In addition, the devices demonstrated here have further proven the potentials of nanomaterial-based electrical/optical devices 31 32 33 .…”