Study on dye-sensitized solar cell using novel infrared dye

The performances of infrared-dye-sensitized solar cells fabricated using two novel cyanine dyes (light absorption edge: 900 nm) were investigated. The performance of the cell using NK6037 dye was superior to that using NK4432; hence, an intimate interaction between the dye and the TiO₂ photoelectrode via the functional group is essential for efficient electron injection. The efficiency reached 1.9% by optimizing the light-confining effect of the TiO₂ photoelectrode and TiO₂ film thickness, and reached 2.3% by adjusting the concentration of deoxycholic acid (DCA) in the dye solution. The roles of the dye and DCA were clarified by photochemical and electrochemical characterization.