scholarly journals There Is a Future for N-Heterocyclic Carbene Iron(II) Dyes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Improving Performance through Changes in the Electrolyte

Materials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 4181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariia Karpacheva ◽  
Vanessa Wyss ◽  
Catherine E. Housecroft ◽  
Edwin C. Constable
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Alkyl Chain ◽  
Electrochemical Impedance ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Ion Concentration ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

By systematic tuning of the components of the electrolyte, the performances of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) with an N-heterocyclic carbene iron(II) dye have been significantly improved. The beneficial effects of an increased Li+ ion concentration in the electrolyte lead to photoconversion efficiencies (PCEs) up to 0.66% for fully masked cells (representing 11.8% relative to 100% set for N719) and an external quantum efficiency maximum (EQEmax) up to approximately 25% due to an increased short-circuit current density (JSC). A study of the effects of varying the length of the alkyl chain in 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide ionic liquids (ILs) shows that a longer chain results in an increase in JSC with an overall efficiency up to 0.61% (10.9% relative to N719 set at 100%) on going from n-methyl to n-butyl chain, although an n-hexyl chain leads to no further gain in PCE. The results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) support the trends in JSC and open-circuit voltage (VOC) parameters. A change in the counterion from I− to [BF4]− for 1-propyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide ionic liquid leads to DSCs with a remarkably high JSC value for an N-heterocyclic carbene iron(II) dye of 4.90 mA cm−2, but a low VOC of 244 mV. Our investigations have shown that an increased concentration of Li+ in combination with an optimized alkyl chain length in the 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide IL in the electrolyte leads to iron(II)-sensitized DSC performances comparable with those of containing some copper(I)-based dyes.

scholarly journals Electrolyte tuning in dye-sensitized solar cells with N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) iron(II) sensitizers

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 3069-3078 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariia Karpacheva ◽  
Catherine E Housecroft ◽  
Edwin C Constable
Keyword(s):  
Ionic Liquid ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Electrochemical Impedance ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

We demonstrate that the performances of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) sensitized with a previously reported N-heterocyclic carbene iron(II) dye in the presence of chenodeoxycholic acid co-adsorbant, can be considerably improved by altering the composition of the electrolyte while retaining an I−/I3 − redox shuttle. Critical factors are the solvent, presence of ionic liquid, and the use of the additives 1-methylbenzimidazole (MBI) and 4-tert-butylpyridine (TBP). For the electrolyte solvent, 3-methoxypropionitrile (MPN) is preferable to acetonitrile, leading to a higher short-circuit current density (J SC) with little change in the open-circuit voltage (V OC). For electrolytes containing MPN, an ionic liquid and MBI (0.5 M), DSC performance depended on the ionic liquid with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluoridophosphate (EMIMPF) > 1,2-dimethyl-3-propylimidazolium iodide (DMPII) > 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide (BMII) ≈ 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluoridophosphate (BMIMPF). Omitting the MBI leads to a significant improvement in J SC when the ionic liquid is DMPII, BMII or BMIMPF, but with EMIMPF the removal of the MBI additive results in a dramatic decrease in V OC (542 to 42 mV). For electrolytes containing MPN and DMPII, the effects of altering the MBI concentration have also been investigated. Although the addition of TBP improves V OC, it causes significant decreases in J SC. The best performing DSCs with the NHC-iron(II) dye employ an I−/I3 −-based electrolyte with MPN as solvent, DMPII ionic liquid (0.6 M) with no or 0.01 M MBI; values of J SC = 2.31 to 2.78 mA cm−2, V OC = 292 to 374 mV have been achieved giving η in the range of 0.47 to 0.57% which represents 7.8 to 9.3% relative to an N719 reference DSC set at 100%. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy has been used to understand the role of the MBI additive in the electrolytes.

scholarly journals Prunus domestica dye extraction for fabrication of zinc oxide based dye-sensitized solar cells

BIBECHANA ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 23-28
Author(s):  
Leela Pradhan Joshi
Keyword(s):  
Zinc Oxide ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Zinc Nitrate ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Dye Extraction ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

Aluminium doped Zinc Oxide (AZO) seed layers were deposited on Fluorine doped Tin Oxide (FTO) substrates using a spin coating technique. These were then immersed in growth solutions of zinc nitrate, hexamethylenetetramine and distilled water to develop nanoplates of Zinc Oxide (ZnO). The nanostructures of ZnO grown on FTO were studied using x-ray diffraction techniques. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) were fabricated using two prepared electrodes, one of dye-loaded zinc oxide and another that was platinum coated. The electrolyte used was potassium iodide iodine solution. The performance of the assembled DSCCs was tested by drawing an IV curve. The results showed that the short circuit current and open circuit voltages were about 10 microamperes and 270 millivolts respectively.BIBECHANA 13 (2016) 23-28

Fabrication of Core-Shell Structured TiO2/MgO Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

2015 ◽  
Vol 787 ◽  
pp. 3-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Karuppuchamy ◽  
C. Brundha
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Photovoltaic Performance ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Core Shell ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
The Core ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

We demonstrated the construction and performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) based on nanoparticles of TiO2coated with thin shells of MgO by simple solution growth technique. The XRD patterns confirm the presence of both TiO2and MgO in the core-shell structure. The effect of varied shell thickness on the photovoltaic performance of the core-shell structured electrode is also investigated. We found that MgO shells of all thicknesses perform as barriers that improve open-circuit voltage (Voc) of the DSCs only at the expense of a larger decrease in short-circuit current density (Jsc). The energy conversion efficiency was greatly dependent on the thickness of MgO on TiO2film, and the highest efficiency of 4.1% was achieved at the optimum MgO shell layer.

scholarly journals Model Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell dan Aplikasinya Berdasarkan Data Temperatur Harian: Studi Kasus Pangkalpinang

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aliefia Noor ◽  
Meri Hamdini ◽  
Salsabila Ramadina ◽  
Yuant Tiandho
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Synthesis Process ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

<p>Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC) is photovoltaic with a dye that functions as an acceptor of sunlight. The great potential of using DSSC lies in the ease of the synthesis process, and the dyes used can come from plants. However, like most other solar cells, increasing the operating temperature can degrade the DSSC performance and thus decrease the efficiency. This article presents a model of the relationship between the effect of temperature on DSSC performance. The model proposed is derived from the DSSC equivalence with a diode circuit. By confirming the experimental research results, it is known that the model presented in this study has excellent accuracy on various DSSC performance parameters (R2&gt; 0.99). The performance studied includes the I-V curve's shape, the value of the short-circuit current, the diode leakage current, and the open-circuit voltage. Based on daily temperature data in Pangkalpinang City, the potential performance of the DSSC could also be determined when it was developed in Kep. Bangka Belitung. The short-circuit current value obtained is in the range of 14 A with a voltage of 0.6 V. It is hoped that this proposed model can be information for the development of DSSC because of its enormous potential application in Indonesia.</p>

Preparation and Photovoltaic Properties of Flexible Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

2011 ◽  
Vol 306-307 ◽  
pp. 112-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
You Zeng ◽  
Li Jia Zhao ◽  
Ying Zhen ◽  
Fang Xiao Shi ◽  
Yu Tong
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Treatment Temperature ◽  
Photovoltaic Properties ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Conductive Glass ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

Flexible dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) were prepared by using carbon nanotube transparent conductive films (CNT-TCFs) as flexible substrates, and their photovoltaic properties were investigated as well. The flexible DSCs show typical photovoltaic characteristics with short-circuit current of 0.78 μA and open-circuit voltage of 1.48 mV, which was strongly influenced by heat-treatment temperature, type of dyes, and electrical resistivity. In light of their lighter weight and higher flexibility than conventional DSCs based on conductive glass substrates, the flexible DSCs have great potential as functional photoelectric components in many fields.

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Based on Novel Mixed Dyes

2011 ◽  
Vol 383-390 ◽  
pp. 5510-5515
Author(s):  
Tien Tsan Hung
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Electrochemical Impedance ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Sol Gel ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Membrane Electrode ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Phthalocyanine Derivative ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

Novel phthalocyanine derivative and azo derivative have been synthesized as photosensitizers for the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). We used sol-gel method to prepare the titanium oxide (TiO2) membrane electrode of the DSSCs. The crystalline phase and surface morphology of TiO2 were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) to investigate the effects of processing parameters on the films characteristic, microstructure and thickness. The performance of DSSCs was characterized by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and current-voltage curve analysis. The sensitizing properties of phthalocyanine derivative, azo derivative and mixed dyes were studied, and it was found that the cell consisted of mixed dyes generated the highest power conversion efficiency () of 2.3 %, short circuit photocurrent density (Jsc) of 13.6 mA cm-2, open circuit photovoltage (Voc) of 0.46 V and fill factor (FF) of 0.37 under simulated AM 1.5 irradiation (100 mW cm-2) with a active area of 0.25 cm2.

Composite Polymer Electrolyte for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Role of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

2010 ◽  
Vol 93-94 ◽  
pp. 31-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Chindaduang ◽  
Pattasuda Duangkaew ◽  
Sirapat Pratontep ◽  
Gamolwan Tumcharern
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte ◽  
Electrochemical Impedance ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Composite Polymer Electrolyte ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

We focus on the energy conversion improvement of dye-sensitized solar cells by using poly(ethylene oxide)-multi-walled carbon nanotube (PEO-MWCNT) electrolyte. Compared with the MWCNT-free solar cells, the addition of 0.05 wt.% MWCNTs in the polymer electrolyte results in a dramatic increase of the short-circuit current (Jsc), consequently raising the device performance by approximately 9% under a direct light of the Air Mass 1.5 irradiation at 100 mW cm-2. The role of the conductive carbon materials in the polymer electrolyte have been investigated by means of ionic conductometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and UV-visible spectroscopy. This work demonstrates that MWCNT additives in polymer electrolytes is a convenient yet effective strategy for improving the performance of photovoltaic devices.

scholarly journals Cobalt and Carbon Complex as Counter Electrodes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Photonics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 166
Author(s):  
Chi-Feng Lin ◽  
Ting-Hsuan Hsieh ◽  
Yu-Chen Chou ◽  
Pin-Hung Chen ◽  
Ci-Wun Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Counter Electrodes ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Thermal Sintering ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

We developed cobalt and carbon complex materials as counter electrodes (CEs) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) to replace conventional platinum (Pt) CEs. Co12 and Co15, both of which are basic cobalt derivatives, showed good redox potential with a suitable open-circuit voltage (VOC); however, their poor electrical conductivity engendered a low short-circuit current (JSC) and fill factor (FF). Mixing them with carbon black (CB) improved the electrical conductivity of the CE; in particular, JSC and FF were considerably improved. Further improvement was achieved by combining cobalt derivatives and CB through thermal sintering to produce a novel CoCB material as a CE. CoCB had good electrical conductivity and electrocatalytic capability, and this further enhanced both JSC and VOC. The optimized device exhibited a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.44%, which was higher than the value of 7.16% for a device with a conventional Pt CE. The conductivity of CoCB could be further increased by mixing it with PEDOT:PSS, a conducting polymer. The device’s JSC increased to 18.65 mA/cm2, which was considerably higher than the value of 14.24 mA/cm2 for the device with Pt CEs. The results demonstrate the potential of the cobalt and carbon complex as a CE for DSSCs.

scholarly journals Direct Growth of Flower-Shaped ZnO Nanostructures on FTO Substrate for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Crystals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Umar ◽  
Mohammad Akhtar ◽  
Tubia Almas ◽  
Ahmed Ibrahim ◽  
Mohammed Al-Assiri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Solution Process ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Zno Nanostructures ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

The proposed work reports that ZnO nanoflowers were grown on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates via a solution process at low temperature. The high purity and well-crystalline behavior of ZnO nanoflowers were established by X-ray diffraction. The morphological characteristics of ZnO nanoflowers were clearly revealed that the grown flower structures were in high density with 3D floral structure comprising of small rods assembled as petals. Using UV absorption and Raman spectroscopy, the optical and structural properties of the ZnO nanoflowers were studied. The photoelectrochemical properties of the ZnO nanoflowers were studied by utilizing as a photoanode for the manufacture of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The fabricated DSSC with ZnO nanoflowers photoanode attained reasonable overall conversion efficiency of ~1.40% and a short-circuit current density (JSC) of ~4.22 mA cm−2 with an open circuit voltage (VOC) of 0.615 V and a fill factor (FF) of ~0.54. ZnO nanostructures have given rise to possible utilization as an inexpensive and efficient photoanode materials for DSSCs.

scholarly journals Schiff Base Ancillary Ligands in Bis(diimine) Copper(I) Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1735
Author(s):  
Elias Lüthi ◽  
Paola Andrea Forero Cortés ◽  
Alessandro Prescimone ◽  
Edwin C. Constable ◽  
Catherine E. Housecroft
Keyword(s):  
Schiff Base ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Significant Loss ◽  
Aryl Group ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells

Five 6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine ligands bearing N-arylmethaniminyl substituents in the 4- and 4′-positions were prepared by Schiff base condensation in which the aryl group is Ph (1), 4-tolyl (2), 4-tBuC6H4 (3), 4-MeOC6H4 (4), and 4-Me2NC6H4 (5). The homoleptic copper(I) complexes [CuL2][PF6] (L = 1–5) were synthesized and characterized, and the single crystal structure of [Cu(1)2][PF6]·Et2O was determined. By using the “surfaces-as-ligands, surfaces-as-complexes” (SALSAC) approach, the heteroleptic complexes [Cu(6)(Lancillary)]+ in which 6 is the anchoring ligand ((6,6′-dimethyl-[2,2′-bipyridine]-4,4′-diyl)bis(4,1-phenylene))bis(phosphonic acid)) and Lancillary = 1–5 were assembled on FTO-TiO2 electrodes and incorporated as dyes into n-type dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Data from triplicate, fully-masked DSCs for each dye revealed that the best-performing sensitizer is [Cu(6)(1)]+, which exhibits photoconversion efficiencies (η) of up to 1.51% compared to 5.74% for the standard reference dye N719. The introduction of the electron-donating MeO and Me2N groups (Lancillary = 4 and 5) is detrimental, leading to a decrease in the short-circuit current densities and external quantum efficiencies of the solar cells. In addition, a significant loss in open-circuit voltage is observed for DSCs sensitized with [Cu(6)(5)]+, which contributes to low values of η for this dye. Comparisons between performances of DSCs containing [Cu(6)(1)]+ and [Cu(6)(4)]+ with those sensitized by analogous dyes lacking the imine bond indicate that the latter prevents efficient electron transfer across the dye.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document