Abstract
Four key parameters namely light trapping, density of light harvesting centre, photoinduced electron injection and electron transport without self-recombination are universally important across all kinds of solar cells. In the present study, we have considered the parameters in the context of a model Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC). Our experimental studies reveal that carbonate doping of TiO2 mesoporous microspheres (doped MS) makes positive influence to all the above mentioned key parameters responsible for the enhanced solar cell efficiency. A simple method has been employed to synthesize the doped MS for the photoanode of a N719 (ruthenium dye)-based DSSC. A detail electron microscopy has been used to characterize the change in morphology of the MS upon doping. The optical absorption spectrum of the doped MS reveals significant shift of TiO2 (compared to that of the MS without doping) towards maximum solar radiance (~500 nm) and the excellent scattering in the entire absorption band of the sensitizing dye (N719). Finally, and most importantly, for the first time we have demonstrated that the solar cells with doped MS offers better efficiency (7.6%) in light harvesting compared to MS without doping (5.2%) and also reveal minimum self recombination of photoelectrons in the redox chain.
Highlights
The marathon race for the ultimate goal of commercialization of an alternative silicon-free solar cell technology to achieve lower cost-per-watt level with grid parity versus fossil fuel technologies, started with the seminal demonstration of a prototype dye sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) in last century with 7% efficiency[1]
Ultrafast electron injection in the Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) were achieved by doping plasmonic metals[15,19] and atomic layer deposition (ALD) of TiO2/Al2O3 after dye adsorption[20]
The ultrafast electron injection and minimization of electron recombination leading to better solar cell efficiency compared to DSSC with photoanode using undoped MS are demonstrated
Summary
The marathon race for the ultimate goal of commercialization of an alternative silicon-free solar cell technology to achieve lower cost-per-watt level with grid parity versus fossil fuel technologies, started with the seminal demonstration of a prototype dye sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) in last century with 7% efficiency[1]. Given the amount of dye adsorption, electron injection from the dye to the photoanode and redox coupling, the parameters are found to be key factors for the optimum DSSC efficiency. Successful design of the photoanode again relies on the four key parameter: (a) light trapping via scattering of incident solar radiation (b) very high surface area of the oxide film in the photoanode for dye adsorption (c) ultrafast electron injection from excited dye to the oxide layer (d) efficient transport of charge carriers with minimal recombination loss of electrons[2]. A particular submicron sized TiO2 structure called beads was used in whole photoanode or as scattering layer in order to increase charge collection efficiency[9]. The ultrafast electron injection and minimization of electron recombination leading to better solar cell efficiency compared to DSSC with photoanode using undoped MS are demonstrated
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