Dye-sensitized Solar Cells Research Articles

Influence of surface passivation by MgO on photovoltaic performance of SnO2 based dye-sensitized solar cells

The study highlights effect of surface modification of SnO2 photoelectrode by MgO coating on photovoltaic properties of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). A thin coating of MgO on SnO2 photoelectrode was prepared using sol-gel-derived dip coating technique. The bare SnO2 and MgO coated SnO2 composite photoanodes was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV–vis spectrophotometer. The optical absorption study revealed that the modification in SnO2 by MgO coating caused an increase in absorption by photoanode in visible region. The solar cell was demonstrated by preparing FTO|SnO2|Dye|MgO|Electrolyte|Pt coated FTO device structure and tested with current density-voltage (J-V) measurement. The effect of precursor concentration of MgO coating on the performance of DSSCs were investigated. It was found that, optimized coating of MgO for 90 seconds on SnO2 improved all photovoltaic parameters, resulting in enhancement in efficiency by 42% compared to that of DSSC with bare SnO2 photoanode. The coating of MgO would have reduced the trap states and suppressed interfacial recombination losses by preventing back electron transfer from the conduction band of the semiconductor to HOMO of dye molecule or redox species.

Thymus schimperi Ronniger plant flower extract dye-sensitized solar cells

The demand for energy is greatly increasing due to the world’s population growth and technological advancement. Natural dye-sensitized solar cells are attracting research as an alternative and renewable energy source due to their simple preparation technique, availability, cost effectiveness and environmental friendliness. In the present work, we have successfully fabricated dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) from Thymus schimperi Ronniger plant flowers for the first time. The solvents used for extraction of the flower dye were deionized water and its mixture with ethanol. The T. schimperi Ronniger flower extract dye solutions and sensitized photoanodes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared and ultraviolet–visible techniques. The crystallinity of TiO2 films was analyzed by x-ray diffraction, and the films showed pure anatase phase behavior. The photoelectrochemical solar cell performance parameters, such as short circuit current density, open circuit voltage, fill factor and efficiency, were evaluated from current density–voltage measurements using a Keithley 2450 source meter. DSSCs sensitized with dye solution extracted by a mixture of water and ethanol showed better performance (1.37%) than those sensitized with dye solution extracted by deionized water alone (1.02%).

Unveiling the potential of TPA-based molecules to tune the optoelectronic properties and enhance the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells.

The world's energy and environmental requirements are changing due to rapid population growth and industrial growth, and solar cells can be used to meet these demands. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are solar cells in which energy conversion occurs via a process similar to photosynthesis in plants. DSSC development is still in its infancy. DSSCs can operate under cloudy conditions and indirect sunlight and have attracted considerable attention due to their low cost and high efficiency. We designed two metal-free TPA-based dyes (Dye2 and Dye3) based on the reference dye Mg207 (Dye1) by increasing the donor strength of the molecule, as such dyes have shown enhanced efficiency in DSSCs. Moreover, the triphenylamine (TPA) moiety has been demonstrated to be a good donor that prevents charge recombination. Intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) from the donor to acceptor moiety was found in the sensitizers, and electrons were promoted to the conduction band (CB) of the TiO2 semiconductor. The negative binding energy of the dye@TiO2 clusters indicated that dye adsorption on the semiconductor surface was stable. The double donor increased the electron injection and electronic coupling constants in Dye2 and Dye3, indicating that these newly designed dyes have superior charge injection capacity. Accordingly, the efficiencies of DSSCs with Dye2 and Dye3 were 9.77% and 9.62%, respectively, and substitution with the TPA unit at the -R1 and -R2 positions in Dye1 resulted in better power conversion compared to the parent compound (9.09%). Increased donor strength improved photovoltaic performance by increasing current density and light-harvesting efficiency. This is a good molecular design approach for preparing targeted donor- -acceptor (D- -A) organic dyes with high DSSC efficiency. To predict the charge transport and optoelectronic characteristics of the TPA dyes, quantum chemical calculations were carried out using Gaussian16. The ground-state (S0) optimized geometries of the sensitizers were computed by utilizing DFT at the B3LYP/6-31G** level. The absorption spectra ( max) were computed by employing TD-DFT with various functionals (B3LYP, PBE1PBE, CAM-B3LYP, and BHandHLYP) in the gas and solvent (DCM) phases. Among the studied functionals, BHandHLYP was found to be best at successfully reproducing the experimental data. Thus, the absorption spectra of the newly designed dyes and dye@TiO2 were calculated at the BHandHLYP/6-31G** level. The dye@TiO2 cluster optimizations were carried out at the B3LYP/6-31G**(LANL2DZ) level.

Characterization of graphene–TiO2-deposited semi-organic solar cell

High energy supply is critical, particularly in developing countries, to maintain lifestyles as the world's population and technological-economic metropolis grow. Solar photovoltaic cells have been used as an alternative to generate renewable, sustainable, and green energy for the past two decades. In general, the materials employed in the photoanode part are critical to manufacturing high-efficiency solar cells with 14–18% efficiency. A simple and successful method has been discovered for creating a film composed of graphene sheets and 99.8% pure anatase titanium oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles. After sensitization, the films were tested as photoelectrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells. The experimental results show that using an optimized graphene material considerably improves the power conversion efficiency of the cells, resulting in a 45% increase in short-circuit current density ( JSC). This study uses capsician as a bonding agent to enhance the current density of a graphene–TiO2 based semi-organic solar cell. The mechanical and electrical properties of the cell are investigated using a scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray, and Corescan.

Size controlled synthesis of hydrous TiO2 spheres by a thiol structure directing agent and its application in photocatalysis and efficient DSSC cells

AbstractIn this work, hydrated TiO2 spheres (HTS) of the submicron order have been developed. Normally, the group of amines, such as dodecylamine, hexadecylamine, methylamine, and NH3, had been the main structure-directing agents (SDAs) used in the sol–gel process to obtain monodisperse hydrated TiO2 spheres. Even though progress has been made in the synthesis of HTS, it is crucial to include new SDAs capable of synthesizing monodisperse HTS with improved or new properties for practical applications. In this work, for the first time we demonstrate that a thiol, 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), can be used as an effective SDA to synthesize monodisperse hydrous TiO2 spheres with a controllable particle diameter between 150 to 950 nm. Experimental preparation parameters such as Ti concentration, [MPA]/[Ti] and [Water]/[Ti] molar ratio in the precursor solution (Titanium (IV) butoxide—MPA—ethanol—water) were thoroughly optimized to get both high yield and high monodispersity. Remarkably, a wide range in the [Water]/[Ti] molar ratio, 17 to 118, was achieved, which is much wider than the typical Rw range of the amines group of 2 to 16, thus giving more control for choosing the HTS final size. The controlled growth of hydrated TiO2 nanospheres was explained according to the LaMer and DVLO theory. To demonstrate the applicability of the HTS synthesized using MPA as SDA, the development of efficient dye-sensitized solar cells getting an energy conversion greater than 9% as well as of an effective photocatalytic degradation process of the analgesic acetaminophen under concentrated solar radiation was conducted.

Characterization and Application of Natural Photosensitizer and Poly(vinylidene Fluoride) Nanofiber Membranes-Based Electrolytes in DSSC

This comprehensive research has explored the potential of enhancing dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) by harnessing environmentally friendly natural dyes, such as chlorophyll pigments from pandanus (664.1 nm) and papaya leaves (664.0 nm), as well as betacyanin pigments from sappan-mangosteen (536.2 nm). Electrochemical analyses elucidated the energy band gaps, revealing a hierarchy with the smallest band gap observed for papaya leaves (1.387 eV), followed closely by sappan-mangosteen (1.389 eV) and pandan leaves (1.396 eV). This research effectively addressed the persistent issue of electrolyte leakage in DSSC development by introducing a polymer electrolyte derived from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) through electrospinning and phase inversion techniques. SEM characterization results and thermogravimetric analysis underscored the superior characteristics and high thermal stability of the PVDF nanofiber polymer for DSSC applications. The study's pivotal findings underscore the remarkable DSSC performance achieved with chlorophyll pigment from papaya leaves, reaching 1.31% efficiency without a polymer electrolyte. Moreover, the sappan-mangosteen dye emerged as a promising contender with the highest efficiency values when applied with polymer electrolyte, recording rates of 1.17% for PVDF NF and 0.95% for PVDF, which are notably comparable to the efficiency of liquid electrolyte at 1.26%.

Analysis of nickel oxide as a counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells using OghmaNano software

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), a promising green technology, convert solar energy into electricity more cost-effectively than traditional solar cells. While platinum (Pt) is commonly used in DSSCs, its high cost and toxicity limit practical applications. Recent research aims to develop low-cost counter electrodes with high efficiency. Nickel oxide (NiO), a p-type semiconductor with a wide bandgap, good transmittance, and suitable work function, emerges as a potential alternative for counter electrode of DSSCs. In this work, DSSCs with NiO of thicknesses varying from 100 nm to 1000 nm were simulated to determine its influence on photovoltaic performance using OghmaNano software. The structure of simulated solar cells consists of NiO as counter electrode, zinc oxide (ZnO) as photoanode, N719 as dyes, electrolyte as charge carrier transport, and fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) as a contact layer. There are five data of NiO used as an active layer. From the simulation results, NiO-doped gold exhibits the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 15.95% at a thickness of 700 nm, while pure NiO shows the lowest PCE with 4.53% at a thickness of 600 nm. These results have demonstrated that NiO can replace Pt as a counter electrode for DSSCs and doping plays a vital role in increasing efficiency.

Innovative microwave in situ approach for crystallizing TiO2 nanoparticles with enhanced activity in photocatalytic and photovoltaic applications

This investigation introduces an innovative approach to microwave-assisted crystallization of titania nanoparticles, leveraging an in situ process to expedite anatase crystallization during microwave treatment. Notably, this technique enables the attainment of crystalline material at temperatures below 100 °C. The physicochemical properties, including crystallinity, morphology, and textural properties, of the synthesized TiO2 nanomaterials show a clear dependence on the microwave crystallization temperature. The presented microwave crystallization methodology is environmentally sustainable, owing to heightened energy efficiency and remarkably brief processing durations. The synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles exhibit significant effectiveness in removing formic acid, confirming their practical utility. The highest efficiency of formic acid photodegradation was demonstrated by the T_200 material, reaching almost 100% efficiency after 30 min of irradiation. Furthermore, these materials find impactful application in dye-sensitized solar cells, illustrating a secondary avenue for the utilization of the synthesized nanomaterials. Photovoltaic characterization of assembled DSSC devices reveals that the T_100 material, synthesized at a higher temperature, exhibits the highest photoconversion efficiency attributed to its outstanding photocurrent density. This study underscores the critical importance of environmental sustainability in the realm of materials science, highlighting that through judicious management of the synthesis method, it becomes feasible to advance towards the creation of multifunctional materials.

Study of the Optical and Structural Properties of Metal-Doped Titanium Dioxide Electrode Prepared by the Sol-Gel Method for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Study of the Optical and Structural Properties of Metal-Doped Titanium Dioxide Electrode Prepared by the Sol-Gel Method for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Fabrication of ternary zinc-nickel-copper oxide microsphere nanocomposite photoanode material for boosting dye-sensitized solar cell efficiency

The present study focuses on the development of cost-effective and efficient energy conversion material for fossil-fuel free society. In this context, ternary ZnO-NiO-CuO nanocomposite (NC) prepared using a facile chemical co-precipitation method was used as a photoanode material in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Concurrently, ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), binary ZnO-NiO and ZnO-CuO NCs were also prepared, characterized and employed as photoanode materials in DSSC. XRD diffraction analysis disclosed successful formation of nanomaterials with relevant structural parameters. SEM investigation displayed spherical and microsphere morphology of ternary ZnO-NiO-CuO NC. EDAX examination confirmed its purity. TEM and HRTEM analysis revealed that the morphology of ternary ZnO-NiO-CuO NC exhibits microspheres with porous nature, whose size ranges from 150 nm to 400 nm. Less intense PL peaks suggested anticipation of relatively low charge recombination, better charge separation and fast electron transport in ternary ZnO-NiO-CuO NC photoanode based DSSC. Consequently, photovoltaic behavior of DSSC integrated with ternary ZnO-NiO-CuO NC photoanode exhibited significantly higher PCE (η) of 4.96 % when compared to DSSC fabricated using pristine ZnO NPs (2.48 %), ZnO-NiO (3.18 %) and ZnO-CuO NC (4.35 %) photoanodes.

Study of KOH as alkali for enhancing performance of photo-galvanic cell in transparent cylindrical cell design

Photo-galvanic cells are liquid electrolyte-based dye-sensitized solar cells. Chemically, the dye/pigment photo-sensitizer, reductant, surfactant, and alkali materials are the main fabrication components of these cells. Most dye/pigment materials are more soluble and stable at high pH. The pH of Potassium hydroxide (an alkali of plant nutrient ‘potassium’ element) is very high. Therefore, Potassium hydroxide is supposed to be the best eco-friendly and effective alkali medium for photogalvanics. As far as alkali is concerned, NaOH has been exploited extensively in photo-galvanics. Although, the NaOH-based photo-galvanics show good electrical output, it is plagued with some drawbacks like shorter shelf life, high cost, unsafe for skin, low conductivity, low water solubility, etc. Therefore, in the present research, the KOH has been exploited as an alkali material for harvesting solar energy using the Sunset Yellow FCF dye sensitizer-Ascorbic acid reductant-CTAB surfactant cylindrical cell designed photo-galvanic system.In the present study, the observed optimum cell performance is as follows-open-circuit potential 777 mV, maximum current 25000 μA, short-circuit current 5600 μA, power 733.6 μW, fill factor 0.16, and efficiency is 19.77 % at pH 14.30. The Sunset Yellow FCF dye shows very high photostability and photo-absorption with KOH alkali. The power storage capacity is sufficiently robust, as the cell is capable of supplying power at its ∼36.16 % capacity after a very long time of 24 h. The KOH-Sunset Yellow FCF dye sensitizer-Ascorbic acid reductant-CTAB surfactant photo-galvanics in the present study show improved results over the reported results for the NaOH-Sunset Yellow FCF dye sensitizer-Ascorbic acid reductant-CTAB surfactant photo-galvanics. The reasons for the good photo-galvanics with KOH alkali may be attributed to some peculiar chemical and physical properties of KOH vis-à-vis the chemical and physical properties of NaOH.

Nb2O5 porous nanotubes: potential approach as photoanode material for dye-sensitized solar cells

Nb2O5 porous nanotubes: potential approach as photoanode material for dye-sensitized solar cells

Preparation and photoelectric properties of photoanode based on N-TiO2 deposited on copper electrode

Reducing the photoresistance of a photoanode is one of the key points to improving the electron transfer rate of dye-sensitive solar cells. With TiO2 sol acting as the titanium source and urea serving as the nitrogen source, the N-doped TiO2 composite electrode material was prepared by electrodeposition on the surface of copper foil. The results show that the N-TiO2/Cu electrode prepared by electrodeposition doping at a voltage of 1.0 V has a low photoresistance and bias of 0.25 V difference with the Cu electrode under visible light. The photocurrent is increased by 270 % in comparison with that of the TiO2/Cu electrode. The N-TiO2/Cu electrode shows good photoresponsivity and has a good potential application in dye-sensitive solar cells.

Towards sustainable solar cells: unveiling the latest developments in bio-nano materials for enhanced DSSC efficiency

Abstract Fossil fuels—instrumental in powering the nineteenth-century Industrial Revolution—are now under heightened scrutiny due to environmental concerns and carbon emissions. Consequently, there is a global impetus towards achieving carbon-neutral energy production, with solar energy emerging as a cornerstone in this transition. Over the past three decades, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have gained increasing prominence due to their unique advantages. This review elucidates several crucial elements essential to DSSC construction, notably bio-nano materials, prized for their structural flexibility, cost-effectiveness and high molar absorption coefficient. It delves into the intricate relationship between molecular structure and DSSC performance, showcasing significant advancements with light-to-power conversion efficiencies reaching 11%. A comprehensive analysis of the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs utilizing bio-nano-based dyes offers invaluable insights into the state of this rapidly evolving industry. Key components under scrutiny include transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layers, physical techniques for metal oxide deposition onto TCO thin films, diverse dye variants and foundational knowledge of components ripe for growth and enhancement. Moreover, the review outlines the latest breakthroughs in the field, providing glimpses into the current status of prototype DSSCs.

The Effect of Polyetherimide Polymer Membrane Composition on the Performance Efficiency of Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) Based on Natural Photosensitizer of Butterfly Pea Flowers

The Effect of Polyetherimide Polymer Membrane Composition on the Performance Efficiency of Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) Based on Natural Photosensitizer of Butterfly Pea Flowers

Optimization of Polysulfone/Polyethylene Glycol (PSf/PEG) Casted Solution Composition as a Membrane Electrolyte in a Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC)

Optimization of Polysulfone/Polyethylene Glycol (PSf/PEG) Casted Solution Composition as a Membrane Electrolyte in a Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC)

Conformational and environmental effects on the electronic and vibrational properties of dyes for solar cell devices.

The main challenge for solar cell devices is harvesting photons beyond the visible by reaching the red-edge (650-780nm). Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) devices combine the optical absorption and the charge separation processes by the association of a sensitizer as a light-absorbing material (dye molecules, whose absorption can be tuned and designed) with a wide band gap nanostructured semiconductor. Conformational and environmental effects (i.e., solvent, pH) can drastically influence the photophysical properties of molecular dyes. This study proposes a combined experimental and computational approach for the comprehensive investigation of the electronic and vibrational properties of a unique class of organic dye compounds belonging to the family of red-absorbing dyes, known as squaraines. Our focus lies on elucidating the intricate interplay between the molecular structure, vibrational dynamics, and optical properties of squaraines using state-of-the-art density functional theory calculations and spectroscopic techniques. Through systematic vibrational and optical analyses, we show that (i) the main absorption peak in the visible range is influenced by the conformational and protonation equilibria, (ii) the solvent polarity tunes the position of the UV-vis absorption, and (iii) the vibrational spectroscopy techniques (infrared and Raman) can be used as informative tools to distinguish between different conformations and protonation states. This comprehensive understanding offers valuable insights into the design and optimization of squaraine-based DSSCs for enhanced solar energy conversion efficiency.

Improving effects of 1-naphthalenetic acid (NAA) as a co-adsorbent on photovoltaic parameters of dye-sensitized solar cells

Improving effects of 1-naphthalenetic acid (NAA) as a co-adsorbent on photovoltaic parameters of dye-sensitized solar cells

Fabrication and Enhanced Performance Evaluation of TiO2@Zn/Al-LDH for DSSC Application: The Influence of Post-Processing Temperature.

A sequence of dye-sensitized solar cells is proposed, utilizing TiO2@Zn/Al-layered double hydroxide (LDH) as their starting materials, in which Ruthenizer N719 was used as a photon absorber. The anticipated system was turned into sheet-like TiO2@mixed metal oxide (MMO) via post-processing treatment. The crystal quality indicated a relation to power conversion efficiency (PCE); this was combined with a comparable morphology profile. In detail, the optimum DSSC device exhibited average sheet-like thickness and a dye loading amount of 43.11 nm and 4.28 ×10-3 mM/cm-2, respectively. Concurrently, a considerable PCE enhancement of the optimum DSSC device (TiO2@MMO-550°) was attained compared to pristine MMO (0.91%), which could be due to boosted electron transfer efficiency. Of the fabricated devices, DSSC fabricated at 550° exhibited the highest PCE (1.91%), with a 35.6% enhancement compared to that obtained at 450°, as a result of its increased open-circuit voltage (3.29 mA/cm2) and short-circuit current (0.81 V). The proposed work delivers an enhanced efficiency as compared to similar geometries.

Enhancing Photovoltaic Performance with BaTiO3/MWCNTs Composite Photoelectrodes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have attracted renewed research interest as a potential low-cost substitute for conventional silicon photovoltaics. This work aims to improve the photovoltaic performance of the DSSCs by incorporating multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) into the BaTiO3 photoelectrode. The pure BaTiO3 and BaTiO3/MWCNT nanocomposites were sensitized with N719 dye and fabricated into solar cell devices for testing. The structural characterization confirmed the successful formation of the nanocomposite with an optimal dispersion at 6% of MWCNT incorporation, beyond which agglomeration effects manifested. The optical analysis verified the modulation of defect states and bandgap engineering induced by the MWCNT network. The morphological studies revealed irregular nanoparticle clusters with embedded nanotubes. Solar cell testing under AM1.5G-simulated sunlight demonstrated a peak power conversion efficiency of 4.044% for 6% of MWCNT doping, constituting a 6-fold increment versus pure BaTiO3 (0.693%). It originated from the simultaneous enhancements in the open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current enabled by the favorable band structure alterations and percolation-assisted charge transport. However, further increasing MWCNT content deteriorated the device metrics, owing to emerging limitations like trapping. The rational integration of multi-walled carbon nanotubes with lead-free ferroelectric metal oxides can contribute to the development of emerging organic-inorganic hybrid solar platforms.