A Novel Photo-Thermoelectric Generator Integrating Dye-sensitized Solar Cells with Thermoelectric Modules

Abstract

In this study, we adopt two different morphologies of self-made nano-TiO2 powder to prepare a double-layer photoelectrode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Further, DSSC module and thermoelectric generator (TEG) coated with nano-Cu thin film were integrated with a novel photo-thermoelectric generator. For the fabrication of photoelectric conversion modules, TiO2 nanoparticles (H200) fabricated by the hydrothermal method and the powder of TiO2 nanofluid prepared by the submerged arc nanofluid synthesis system (SANSS) were utilized to prepare a double-layer thin film using a surgical blade as the photoelectrode of DSSCs. And then, commercial nano-Cu powder was coated on two sides of TEG to fabricate thermoelectric conversion module by surgical blade. Nano-Cu thin film, as the medium of thermal conductivity, can effectively transfer heat produced by sunlight on the surface of DSSC to the two sides of TEG. Finally, the two modules were combined into the optical thermoelectric generator. The overall experiment utilizes the intensity of 100 mW/cm2 illumination of simulated sunlight, which can produce 4.97 mW/cm2, an increase of 2.87% output compared with merely employing the DSSCs.