Abstract

Interfacial exciton recombination and narrow absorption region are two bottlenecks that limit the performance of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The present study focuses on improving the solar cell's efficiency by utilizing a lignite-derived nanocarbon that behaves as a surface passivator and cosensitizer. Incorporating nanocarbon enhanced the spectral absorption region of the N719 dye with a bathochromic shift and played the role of a cosensitizer. In addition, the quenched photoluminescence spectra revealed that nanocarbon also aids in the swift transfer of electrons to the conduction band of TiO2 by reducing the exciton recombination and acting as a surface passivator. On measuring the fabricated DSSC under AM 1.5G irradiation with the intensity of 100 mW/cm2, the nanocarbon-based device exhibited an efficiency (ŋ) of 9.02% with a photocurrent density of 20.45 mA/cm2, outperforming the pristine device (ŋ = 6.21%). An enhancement of 45% in the power conversion efficiency was achieved. Thus, the results unveiled that nanocarbons derived from pollution-causing fuel synergistically aided in enhancing the performance of DSSC.

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