Abstract
We report the synthesis of a novel squaraine dye (VG21-C12) and investigate its behavior as p-type sensitizer for p-type Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. The results are compared with O4-C12, a well-known sensitizer for p-DSC, and sodium hydroxide pretreatment is described as an effective approach to reduce the dye/holes recombination. Various variable investigation such as dipping time, dye loading, photocurrent, and resulting cell efficiency are also reported. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was utilized for investigating charge transport properties of the different photoelectrodes and the recombination phenomena that occur at the (un)modified electrode/electrolyte interface.
Highlights
The development of a green, sustainable, renewable, and environmental-friendly technology for energy production rapidly have gained relevance due to the well-known global warming issue (Reddy et al, 2014)
We have reported the synthesis of a new squaraine dye, VG21-C12, that presents a symmetric structure with a cyano-acrylic unit as an anchoring moiety
Different sensitization times were investigated, showing that times longer than 2 h are detrimental for the photoconversion performance of the device, due to the raising of bimolecular adducts and leading to lower current density compared to the reference (i.e., O4_C12)
Summary
The development of a green, sustainable, renewable, and environmental-friendly technology for energy production rapidly have gained relevance due to the well-known global warming issue (Reddy et al, 2014). Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSCs) could be effectively employed in both outdoor and indoor applications Since their first appearance in 1991, (O’Regan and Grätzel, 1991) scientists have focused their efforts on n-type DSC, where a TiO2-sensitized electrode behaves as photoanode, reaching an overall efficiency up to 14% (Yella et al, 2011; Mathew et al, 2014; Kakiage et al, 2015). This value could be considered as the upper threshold for single junction devices, coupling a photoanode to a photocathode in a sandwiched device (t-DSCs) (Xu et al, 2015) has been reported to better the photoconversion performances. The obtainment of a more efficient p-DSCs is strictly related to successfully (i) improve the electronic properties of NiO photocathodes to faster
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call