Increased efficiency of DSC coupled to one-dimensional photonic crystals

Abstract

The optimization of the conversion efficiency of dye sensitized solar cells (DSC) has become a key issue nowadays due to the search for alternative energy resources. Different approaches based on the optical absorption enhancement can be realized in this type of solar devices by modifying the optical design of the cell. In this respect, novel porous and highly reflecting one-dimensional photonic crystals (1DPC) have been recently implemented in DSC due to their great potential for the manipulation of light propagation. The periodic structure is built by alternating layers made of different types of nanoparticles that allow us to obtain a wide and intense Bragg reflection peak. The photonic crystal, with a thickness of just half-micron, is able to efficiently localize incident light within the nc-dyed TiO 2 electrode in a targeted wavelength range. So, significant optical absorption amplification in a wide spectral range occurs in these structures that combine the presence of a highly reflecting photonic crystal and a layer of absorbing material, being therefore enhanced the photogenerated current. Average power conversion efficiencies are improved between 15% and 30% with respect to the reference value attained for standard electrodes with no photonic crystal coupled.