Revealing the relaxation kinetics of curcumin based dye-sensitized solar cell

Abstract

DSSCs have garnered significant attention as a promising technology for renewable energy generation. The carrier kinetics, or the dynamics of charge carriers, play a vital role in the efficiency of DSSC. However, numerous of its optoelectronics characteristics at low frequencies are highly contested. Here, we thoroughly investigated the carrier dynamics of curcumin-based sensitized cell using impedance spectroscopy and modulus spectroscopy under illumination and dark condition. It is revealed that the dielectric relaxation in curcumin-based DSSC follows the interfacial (Maxwell-Wagner type) polarization probably ascribed to the grain boundary effect. Moreover, the comparative evaluation of impedance and modulus spectra at lower frequencies demonstrates the localized type of charge-carrier relaxation in this curcumin-based sensitized cell, which has been related with the conductivity hopping phenomena. These results illustrate the potential of curcumin as a promising new sensitizer for DSSCs and highlight the importance of continued research into new and innovative materials for sustainable energy technology.