Dye-sensitized solar cells based on double-layered TiO2 composite films and enhanced photovoltaic performance

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are fabricated based on double-layered composite films of TiO₂ nanoparticles and hollow spheres. The photoelectric conversion performances of DSSCs based on nanoparticles/nanoparticles (PP), hollow spheres/hollow spheres (HH), hollow spheres/nanoparticles (HP), and nanoparticles/hollow spheres (PH) double-layered films are investigated, and their photo-electric conversion efficiencies are 4.33, 4.72, 4.93 and 5.28%, respectively. The enhanced performance of TiO₂ nanoparticles/hollow spheres double-layered composite film solar cells can be attributed to the combined effect of following factors. The light scattering of overlayer hollow spheres enhances harvesting light of the DSSCs and the underlayer TiO₂ nanoparticle layer ensures good electronic contact between film electrode and the F-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass substrate. Furthermore, the high surface areas and pore volume of TiO₂ hollow spheres are respectively beneficial to adsorption of dye molecules and transfer of electrolyte solution.     

Electrodeposited nanoporous ZnO films exhibiting enhanced performance in dye-sensitized solar cells

Electrodeposition of nanoporous ZnO films and their applications to dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were investigated in the aim of developing cost-effective alternative synthetic methods and improving the ZnO-based DSSCs performance. ZnO films were grown by cathodic electrodeposition from an aqueous zinc nitrate solution containing polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) surfactant. PVP concentration had strong effects on the grain sizes and surface morphologies of ZnO films. Nanoporous ZnO film with grain size of 20-40 nm was obtained in the electrolyte containing 4 g/L PVP. The X-ray diffraction pattern showed that nanoporous ZnO films had a hexagonal wurtzite structure. Optical properties of such films were studied and the results indicated that the films had a band gap of 3.3 eV. DSSCs were fabricated from nanoporous ZnO films and the cell performance could be greatly improved with the increase of ZnO film thickness. The highest solar-to-electric energy conversion efficiency of 5.08% was obtained by using the electrodeposited double-layer ZnO films (8 μm thick nanoporous ZnO films on a 200 nm thick compact nanocrystalline ZnO film). The performance of such cell surpassed levels attained in previous studies on ZnO film-based DSSCs and was among the highest for DSSCs containing electrodeposited film components.     

Enhanced light scattering and photovoltaic performance for dye-sensitized solar cells by embedding submicron SiO2/TiO2 core/shell particles in photoanode

The introduction of light scattering in the photoanodes of dye-sensitized solar cells is one of the most effective approaches to enhance their photovoltaic performance. In this work, we prepared submicron SiO₂/TiO₂ core/shell particles and embedded these particles in the nanostructured TiO₂ photoanodes for light to scatter in the dye-sensitized solar cells. Due to the large difference in the refractive index between the SiO₂ core and the TiO₂ shell, the embedded submicron SiO₂/TiO₂ core/shell particles showed strong light scattering effect. Light absorbance of the dyed photoanode with the embedded SiO₂/TiO₂ particles for light scattering was found to be three times stronger than the one without light scattering particles over a wide wavelength range. The power conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells was increased by about 50% after the introduction of light scattering SiO₂/TiO₂ core/shell particles in the photoanode. This work will provide a base for further enhancement in the photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells by optimizing the submicron SiO₂/TiO₂ core/shell particles and the photoanodes.     

Synthesis of Zn-doped TiO2 microspheres with enhanced photovoltaic performance and application for dye-sensitized solar cells

Zn-doped TiO₂ microspheres have been synthesized by introducing a trace amount of zinc nitrate hexahydrate to the reaction system. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) have been utilized to characterize the samples. Both surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS) technique based on lock-in amplifier and transient photovoltage (TPV) measurement reveal that the slight doping of Zn can promote the separation of photo-generated charges as well as restrain the recombination due to the strong interface built-in electric field and the decreasing of surface trap states. The photovoltaic parameters of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on Zn-doped TiO₂ are significantly better, compared to that of a cell based on undoped TiO₂. The relation between the performance of DSSCs and their photovoltaic properties is also discussed.     

Novel Zn-Sn-O nanocactus with excellent transport properties as photoanode material for high performance dye-sensitized solar cells

A novel chemically stable Zn-Sn-O nanocactus structure has been synthesized for the first time using a hydrothermal method. The Zn-Sn-O nanocactus structure comprises a Zn poor-Zn(2)SnO(4) plate and Zn-doped SnO(2) nanothorns growing on the plate, both of which have high electron mobilities. The nanocactus is used as the photoanode of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The overall power conversion efficiency (PCE) for the Zn-Sn-O nanocactus film reaches 2.21%, which is twice the previous reported efficiency of pure SnO(2). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements show that the Zn-Sn-O nanocactus film has a good effective diffusion length and high intrinsic electron mobility. After TiCl(4) treatment of the Zn-Sn-O nanocactus film, the current density increases nearly three times and the PCE increases to 6.62%, which compares favourably with the P25 DSSCs (6.97%) and is much higher than that of the SnO(2) (1.04%) or Zn(2)SnO(4) (3.7%)-based DSSCs.     

A natural tomato slurry as a photosensitizer for dye-sensitized solar cells with TiO2/CuO composite thin films

We have studied the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells by employing natural dye “anthocyanins” extracted from the tomato slurry as a sensitizer for the TiO₂/CuO photoanode. The extracts were anchored on TiO₂/CuO films deposited on an ITO substrate which was used as a photoanode. The dye adsorbed TiO₂/CuO films electrode, the copper plate as a counter electrode, and iodolyte as an electrolyte were assembled into DSSCs. The conversion efficiency of the DSSCs was found to be 2.96% with a V_OC of 0.615 V, J_SC of 6.6 mA/cm², and an FF of 0.73. This work highlights the use of contribution of the tomato slurry as a natural sensitizer to enhance the efficiency of DSSCs.     

Structure and photovoltaic properties of ZnO nanowire for dye-sensitized solar cells

Aligned ZnO nanowires with different lengths (1 to approximately 4 μm) have been deposited on indium titanium oxide-coated glass substrates by using the solution phase deposition method for application as a work electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). From the results, the increases in length of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires can increase adsorption of the N3 dye through ZnO nanowires to improve the short-circuit photocurrent (J_sc) and open-circuit voltage (V_oc), respectively. However, the J_sc and V_oc values of DSSC with ZnO nanowires length of 4.0 μm (4.8 mA/cm² and 0.58 V) are smaller than those of DSSC with ZnO nanowires length of 3.0 μm (5.6 mA/cm² and 0.62 V). It could be due to the increased length of ZnO nanowires also resulted in a decrease in the transmittance of ZnO nanowires thus reducing the incident light intensity on the N3 dye. Optimum power conversion efficiency (η) of 1.49% was obtained in a DSSC with the ZnO nanowires length of 3 μm.     

Electrodeposition and characterization of Cu2O thin films using sodium thiosulfate as an additive for photovoltaic solar cells

Cuprous oxide(Cu_2 O) thin films have been grown by electrodeposition technique onto ITO-coated glass substrates from aqueous copper acetate solutions with addition of sodium thiosulfate at 60 ℃. The effects of sodium thiosulfate on the electrochemical deposition of Cu20 films were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques. Deposited films were obtained at-0.58 V vs. SCE and characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), and optical, photoelectrochemical and electrical measurements. X-ray diffraction results indicated that the synthesized Cu20 films had a pure cubic phase with a marked preferential orientation peak along(200) plane and with lattice constants a = b = c = 0.425 nm. FTIR results confirmed the presence of Cu_2 O films at peak 634 cm~(-1) SEM images of Cu_2 O films showed a better compactness and spherical-shaped composition. Optical properties of Cu20 films reveal a high optical transmission(80%) and high absorption coefficient(α 10~4 cm~(-1)) in visiblelight region. The optical energy band gap was found to be 2.103 eV. Photoelectrochemical measurements indicated that Cu20 films had n-type semiconductor conduction, which confirmed by Hall Effect measurements.Electrical properties of Cu20 films showed a low electrical resistivity of 61.30 Ω·cm~(-1), carrier concentration of-4.94 × 10~(15)cm~(-3) and mobility of 20.61 cm~2· V~(-1)·s~(-1).The obtained Cu_2 O thin films with suitable properties are promising semiconductor material for fabrication of photovoltaic solar cells.     

Photovoltaic performance improvement of dye-sensitized solar cells based on tantalum-doped TiO2 thin films

Dye-sensitized solar cells based on a tantalum (Ta)-doped TiO₂ thin film prepared by the hydrothermal method show a photovoltaic efficiency of 8.18%, which is higher than that of the undoped TiO₂ thin film (7.40%). The Mott-Schottky plot indicates that the Ta-doped TiO₂ photoanode shifts the flat band potential positively and increases the electron density. The positive shift of the flat band potential improves the driving force of injected electrons from the LUMO of the dye to the conduction band of TiO₂. Furthermore, the increased electron density caused by the Ta-doped TiO₂ improves the fill factor of the solar cell. The increased electron density accelerates the transfer rate of electrons in the Ta-doped TiO₂ thin films by comparison to undoped films, which is confirmed by intensity-modulated photocurrent spectroscopy measurements.     

Electrophoretic deposition of carbon nanotubes films as counter electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) films have been successfully fabricated by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) technique and used as counter electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The CNTs counter electrodes consisting of a large number of bamboo-like structures with defect-rich edge planes exhibit a highly interconnected network structure with high electrical conductivity and good catalytic activity. A high photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 7.03% is achieved for DSSCs based on the CNTs counter electrodes, which is comparable to the cell based on conventional Pt counter electrode at one sun (AM 1.5G, 100 mW cm⁻²). The results suggest that the present synthetic strategy provides a potential feasibility for the fabrication of low-cost flexible counter electrodes of DSSCs using a facile deposition technique from an environmentally “friendly” solution at low temperature.     

Improved photovoltage and performance by aminosilane-modified PEO/P(VDF-HFP) composite polymer electrolyte dye-sensitized solar cells

A PEO/P(VDF-HFP) composite polymer electrolyte was modified by different amounts of NH₂-end functional silane (3-amonopropyltriethoxysilane, APTS). Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were carried out to examine the configuration changes of the polymer electrolyte. The newly formed Si-O-Si network and interactions influenced the ionic conductivity of the APTS-modified polymer electrolyte and also enhanced the connection of the polymer electrolyte with the electrodes of the dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The cyclic voltammograms and electrochemical impedance measurements indicated that the APTS deprotonated the TiO₂ photoanode surface and negatively changed the Fermi energy level and the conduction band edge to the vacuum level. This effectively reduced the interface recombination in the DSSC and improved the open circuit voltage. With moderate APTS content (0.1 M) modification, the DSSC exhibited a 58 mV improvement of photovoltage and an improved performance of 5.08% compared with 3.74% of the original DSSC.     

染料敏化太阳能电池中的纳米TiO2多孔膜研究进展

介绍了染料敏化太阳能电池（DSSC）的工作原理;综述了应用于DSSC的纳米TiO2多孔膜制备方法以及掺杂改性方法。最后对用于DSSC的纳米TiO2多孔膜的发展方向进行了分析与展望。     

Microwave assisted CdSe quantum dot deposition on TiO2 films for dye-sensitized solar cells

CdSe quantum dot (QD ) sensitized TiO(2) films have been fabricated using a one-step microwave assisted chemical bath deposition (MACBD) technique and used as photoanodes for quantum dot sensitized solar cells. This technique allows direct and rapid deposition and a good contact between the CdSe and TiO(2) films. The photovoltaic performances of the cells with CdSe deposited at different times are investigated. The results show that cells based on MACBD deposited TiO(2)/CdSe electrodes achieve a maximum short circuit current density of 12.1 mA cm(-2) and a power conversion efficiency of 1.75% at one Sun (AM 1.5 G, 100 mW cm(-2)), which is comparable with those fabricated using conventional techniques.     

Enhancing performance of ZnO dye-sensitized solar cells by incorporation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes

ABSTRACT: A low-temperature, direct blending procedure was used to prepare composite films consisting of zinc oxide [ZnO] nanoparticles and multiwalled carbon nanotubes [MWNTs]. The mesoporous ZnO/MWNT films were fabricated into the working electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells [DSSCs]. The pristine MWNTs were modified by an air oxidation or a mixed acid oxidation treatment before use. The mixed acid treatment resulted in the disentanglement of MWNTs and facilitated the dispersion of MWNTs in the ZnO matrix. The effects of surface property and loading of MWNTs on DSSC performance were investigated. The performance of DSSCs was found to depend greatly on the type and the amount of MWNTs incorporated. At a loading of 0.01 wt%, the acid-treated MWNTs were able to increase the power conversion efficiency of fabricated cells from 2.11% (without MWNTs) to 2.70%.     

Organic dyes with oligo-n-hexylthiophene for dye-sensitized solar cells: Relation between chemical structure of donor and photovoltaic performance

Organic dyes with the oligohexylthiophene linkage having several donor parts, carbazole, indole, and indoline, were newly synthesized as sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells. The carbazole was most efficient donor moiety for DSSCs among these dyes with the oligothiophene linkage. Carbazole dyes were adsorbed with larger amount of molecules on the TiO₂ film than both indole dyes and indoline dyes. Therefore, both the V_OC and the electron lifetime of DSSCs with the carbazole dyes were highly observed. The decreasing of J_SC of DSSCs with indole and indoline dyes also caused by the reducing the adsorption amount of dyes.     

Spray-deposited NiO x films on ITO substrates as photoactive electrodes for p-type dye-sensitized solar cells

Spray deposition followed by sintering of nickel oxide (NiO _x ) nanoparticles (average diameter: 40 nm) has been chosen as method of deposition of mesoporous NiO _x coatings onto indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates. This procedure allows the scalable preparation of NiO _x samples with large surface area (~10³ times the geometrical area) and its potential for applications such as electrocatalysis or electrochemical solar energy conversion, which require high electroactivity in confined systems. The potential of these NiO _x films as semiconducting cathodes for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) purposes has been evaluated for 0.3–3-μm-thick films of NiO _x sensitized with erythrosine B (ERY). The electrochemical processes involving the NiO _x coatings in the pristine and sensitized states were examined and indicated surface confinement as demonstrated by the linear dependence of the current densities with the scan rate of the cyclic voltammetry. Cathodic polarization of NiO _x on ITO can also lead to the irreversible reduction of the underlying ITO substrate because of the mesoporous nature of the sintered NiO _x film that allows the shunting of ITO to the electrolyte. ITO-based reduction processes alter irreversibly the properties of charge transfer through the ITO/NiO_x interface and limit the range of potential to NiO _x coatings sintered for DSC purposes.     

Incorporation of plasma-functionalized carbon nanocapsules into a nanocrystalline TiO2 photoanode for use in dye-sensitized solar cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated using TiO₂ nanoparticles incorporating different amounts of plasma functionalized carbon nanocapsules (CNCs) as the photoanode. The functionalization was obtained by grafting maleic anhydride (MA) onto the walls of CNCs immediately after the in situ argon plasma treatment. Nanocrystalline semiconductor film electrodes were prepared by sintering TiO₂ with added MA-CNCs on a conducting glass substrate. Capacitance measurements obtained from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis in an aqueous electrolyte are fitted using the Mott–Schottky relationship and demonstrate the variation of flatband potential (V_fb) for the composite with MA-CNC content. The potential chronoamperometric and cyclic voltammetric data supports the argument that the increased V_fb minimizes the defect state for trapping/detrapping of electrons within the MA-CNC/TiO₂. As a result of higher film capacitance and electron accumulation, the MA-CNC/TiO₂ shows increased conversion efficiency and photocurrent density when used as the photoanode in DSSCs. EIS measurement further demonstrates that charge recombination at the interface of MA-CNC/TiO₂ and electrolyte is suppressed with increasing electron lifetime and is in good agreement with the photovoltaic performance. The amount of MA-CNCs added, however needs to be optimized due to the unavoidable issue of aggregation.     

The effect of dye-sensitized solar cell based on the composite layer by anodic TiO2 nanotubes

TiO₂ nanotube arrays are very attractive for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) owing to their superior charge percolation and slower charge recombination. Highly ordered, vertically aligned TiO₂ nanotube arrays have been fabricated by a three-step anodization process. Although the use of a one-dimensional structure provides an enhanced photoelectrical performance, the smaller surface area reduces the adsorption of dye on the TiO₂ surface. To overcome this problem, we investigated the effect of DSSCs constructed with a multilayer photoelectrode made of TiO₂ nanoparticles and TiO₂ nanotube arrays. We fabricated the novel multilayer photoelectrode via a layer-by-layer assembly process and thoroughly investigated the effect of various structures on the sample efficiency. The DSSC with a four-layer photoelectrode exhibited a maximum conversion efficiency of 7.22% because of effective electron transport and enhanced adsorption of dye on the TiO₂ surface.     

Study on TiO2 photoelectrode to improve the overall performance of dye-sensitized solar cells

Due to the complexity of dye-sensitized solar cell modules, the conversion efficiency increased slightly over the years of development. The TiO₂ photoelectrode, as core part in the module, plays an important role in the overall performance. Here, we conducted series of associative experiments on modification of the TiO₂ photoelectrode to achieve a better performance. The paste was prepared using conventional P-25 powder, and the conversion efficiency was found to be increased from the initial 1.41% to 2.48% by optimizing paste additives. Further, a merchandised paste with smaller particle size was introduced to fabricate a double-layer cell with the P-25 paste, followed by a surface treatment with TiCl₄. The final result was observed to be quite satisfactory with a sharp increase in the conversion efficiency of 6.51%.