Optical modeling-assisted characterization of dye-sensitized solar cells using TiO2 nanotube arrays as photoanodes

Jung-Ho Yun,Il Ku Kim,Rose Amal,Yun Hau Ng,Lianzhou Wang

doi:10.3762/bjnano.5.102

Jung-Ho Yun, Il Ku Kim + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3762/bjnano.5.102

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Abstract

Photovoltaic characteristics of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) using TiO2 nanotube (TNT) arrays as photoanodes were investigated. The TNT arrays were 3.3, 11.5, and 20.6 μm long with the pore diameters of 50, 78.6, and 98.7 nm, respectively. The longest TNT array of 20.6 μm in length showed enhanced photovoltaic performances of 3.87% with significantly increased photocurrent density of 8.26 mA·cm−2. This improvement is attributed to the increased amount of the adsorbed dyes and the improved electron transport property with an increase in TNT length. The initial charge generation rate was improved from 4 × 1021 s−1·cm−3 to 7 × 1021 s−1·cm−3 in DSSCs based on optical modelling analysis. The modelling analysis of optical processes inside TNT-based DSSCs using generalized transfer matrix method (GTMM) revealed that the amount of dye and TNT lengths were critical factors influencing the performance of DSSCs, which is consistent with the experimental results.

Highlights

Owing to its chemical durability, non-toxicity, and abundance, TiO2 has attracted great attention as a good photoelectrode material in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) [1,2]
We present a comprehensive study on the ruthenium-based N719 dye-sensitized solar cells using TNT photoanodes through experimental work coupled with optical modeling analysis
The photovoltaic performance of DSSCs with longer TNT lengths was significantly enhanced through an increase in Jsc

Summary

Introduction

Owing to its chemical durability, non-toxicity, and abundance, TiO2 has attracted great attention as a good photoelectrode material in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) [1,2]. The optical processes in the solar cells include electric field intensity, charge generation rate, absorption and reflectance at all the interfaces formed between structural layers and electrodes in the devices [14,15].

Results

Conclusion