Dye-sensitized Solar Cells Research Articles

Synthesis of Fe3O4/ZnO from Zinc Dross Waste as an Active Material for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract Zinc oxide (ZnO) is an attractive active material in emerging solar cell technologies, such as dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), due to its high stability and electron mobility. The activity of ZnO can be enhanced by adding a small amount of impurity, such as iron oxide. Since zinc dross contains Zn as the primary element and Fe as the minor element, it can be used as a precursor to obtain iron oxide/ZnO. In this study, ZnO was prepared from zinc dross through a hydrometallurgy process and utilized as the active material for DSSCs. For comparison, pure ZnO was also prepared using zinc acetate as the precursor through the sol-gel process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results show that pure ZnO was observed in the sample prepared using zinc acetate as the precursor, while ZnO with a Fe3O4 phase was observed in the sample prepared using zinc dross. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examinations reveal that the thickness of ZnO layer that was deposited onto fluorine-doped tin oxide glass was 11.3 ± 0.4 μm. The solar cell performance tests showed that the presence of dyes that adsorbed on ZnO synthesized from zinc dross could increase the efficiency of DSSCs up to 26.5 times while the ZnO synthesized from zinc acetate has 11.5 higher efficiency compared to the non-sensitized counterpart. Moreover, ZnO from zinc dross exhibited 1.2 times higher efficiency than ZnO from pure Zn precursor, indicating the feasibility of converting zinc dross waste into valuable materials.

Performance evaluation of ruthenium complexes and organic sensitizers in ZnO-based dye-sensitized solar cells

Ruthenium (Ru) dyes are a well-known player in the field of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) due to their high efficiency and excellent stability. Their properties and complexes have been studied for almost three decades. Although these sensitizers show better performances, their high cost makes these third-generation solar devices less economical. Organic dyes have recently been explored as an alternative to Ru-based dyes due to their easy and low-cost synthesis. A comparative performance evaluation of Ru complexes and dicyanoisophorone and rhodanine organic dyes in ZnO-based DSSCs is here reported. All the Ru complexes showed better performance in comparison to organic dyes except R-4. Among the Ru sensitizers, R-3 exhibited the highest efficiency of 1.21% followed by R-2, which is attributed to the presence of several anchoring groups such as carboxyl, nitro and amine. However, the presence of more nitrogen-based groups has drastically reduced the performance as observed for R-4, which is the least performing dye among the Ru-based ones. On the contrary, organic sensitizers S-06 and P-4 revealed to be less efficient with respect to R-3 owing to the presence of only one anchoring group and weak photoanode/dye interaction.

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

This study presents a strategy to increase the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) by doping titanium dioxide (TiO2) with different magnesium (Mn) concentrations (1, 3, 5, 7, and 9%) generated by the sol-gel process and effectively employed as a photo-anode (the working electrode) for DSSCs. The Doctor Blade method coated the indium-doped tin oxide (ITO) glass with a thin film layer. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to evaluate the characteristics of undoped and manganese-doped TiO2, and the results demonstrate that all of the thin films are anatase. The samples were examined using XRD to assess grain size before and after Mn doping. The spectrum of UV-Vis absorption changes; accordingly, as doping increases, the energy gap decreases. The smallest energy gap's value (2.4 eV) is 7% manganese doping. AFM pictures show the average roughness and root mean square of the weight percentage of films doped with 5%. Field effect scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) studies show that the particle size of thin films gets smaller as more Mn is added, which happens at least as much as 7% Mn doping. The optimal thickness for TiO2 paste over conductive glass is 15 μm, and the cell's power conversion efficiency increased to 0.604074% with an Imax of 4.965 mA, a Vmax of 0.488 V, and a fill factor (FF) of 68.45954%.

Synergistic Co-sensitization: Unlocking the potential of carbohydrazide chromophores and metal complexes for high-performance dye-sensitized solar cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional silicon-based photovoltaic devices due to their low-cost fabrication and tunable optical properties. One effective strategy to improve the light-harvesting capabilities of DSSCs is co-sensitization, which involves combining multiple dyes with complementary absorption properties. In this study, we report the co-sensitization of carbohydrazide-based organic chromophores, namely MRK-1–2, with a benchmark metal-complex dye (black dye) to enhance the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs. The synthesis of MRK-1–2 sensitizers is described, and their photophysical properties are thoroughly analyzed. The absorption spectra of the co-sensitizers revealed distinct absorption bands associated with intramolecular charge transfer and localized aromatic π-π* transitions. Sensitization by MRK-1–2 resulted in photovoltaic efficiencies ranging between 5.02–5.88 %. The ternary co-sensitization system of carbohydrazide-based chromophores (MRK-1–2 + black dye) showed promising potential for enhancing the short-circuit current density (JSC) (20.32–21.45 mA/cm2), open-circuit voltage VOC (691–729 mV), and overall power conversion efficiency (PCE) (9.52–9.90 %). This significant improvement in photovoltaic performance is attributed to the complementary light-harvesting abilities of the co-sensitizers, leading to enhanced light absorption and efficient charge separation and injection processes. The superior performance, with a (PCE) of up to 9.90 %, can be attributed to complementary light absorption, efficient charge injection facilitated by the carboxylic acid moiety in MRK-2, and suppressed charge recombination within the co-sensitized system. The findings of this study will contribute to the advancement of DSSC technologies and bring us closer to sustainable and renewable energy solutions.

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.

Design and construction of MoS2/Ni3S2 nanosheets decorated on multi-walled carbon nanotubes as a sustainable counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells: An experimental and computational investigation

To achieve a satisfactory photovoltaic performance in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), counter electrode (CE) catalysts with low cost, superior catalytic activity and excellent conductivity should be developed. Herein, we successfully prepared the MoS2/Ni3S2 heterostructures via the hydrothermal method and decorated on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by sonication method. The performance of the prepared CEs was investigated by various electrochemical techniques. Based on the electrochemical tests, the MoS2/Ni3S2/MWCNTs ternary nanocomposite displayed high electron transfer ability, remarkable catalytic activities, and good stability in the electrolyte. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of DSSCs based on MoS2/Ni3S2/MWCNTs CE reached 8.27%, which was even higher than that of the DSSC with Pt CE (7.23%). The excellent performance of the catalyst is related to the structural properties, synergistic effect of MoS2/Ni3S2 and MWCNTs, and high porosity of MoS2/Ni3S2/MWCNTs composite. The results of calculations indicated that by decorating the MoS2/Ni3S2 on carbon nanotubes (CNTs), the bandgap decreased to 2.79 eV, which was smaller than the individual CNTs (6.27 eV). This finding depicted that synergistic effect between MoS2/Ni3S2 and MWCNTs can reduce the bandgap of MoS2/Ni3S2/MWCNTs composite. The lower bandgap mostly results in higher electrical conductivity and lower charge-transfer resistance, which plays an important role in improving the efficiency of DSSCs.

Bio-cellulose-derived rGO-supported SmCoO3 hybrid composite photoanode for high performance dye-sensitized solar cells

Bio-cellulose-derived rGO-supported SmCoO3 hybrid composite photoanode for high performance dye-sensitized solar cells

Scattering layers for Titanium dioxide and Tin dioxide Dye-sensitized solar cells with Pandan leaf as a natural sensitizer

Scattering layers for Titanium dioxide and Tin dioxide Dye-sensitized solar cells with Pandan leaf as a natural sensitizer

Simple phenothiazine-based sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells: Impact of different electron-donors on their photovoltaic performances

Simple phenothiazine-based sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells: Impact of different electron-donors on their photovoltaic performances

DSiO2@TiO2-CsPbBr3 hierarchical microspheres for dye-sensitized solar cells to enhance photovoltaic conversion efficiency

dSiO2@TiO2-CsPbBr3 hierarchical microspheres for dye-sensitized solar cells to enhance photovoltaic conversion efficiency

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.

Synthesis and characterization of new purple and green heterocyclic dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Due to the growing demand for energy from industrial activities, solar energy has gained increasing attention globally. In recent years, heterocyclic dyes have gained attention due to their potential use as organic photosensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). To develop new and effective synthetic dyes for DSSCs, a study was conducted to create new purple dyes 8-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(hydroxyimino)-3H-imidazo[4′,5′:3,4]benzo[1,2-c]isoxazol-4(5H)-ylidene)-2-arylacetonitriles. These dyes were synthesized by reacting nitro derivatives of imidazo benzoxazole with arylacetonitriles in an alkaline media. Additionally, new fluorescent heterocyclic systems 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-6H-imidazo[4,5-a]isoxazolo[4,3-c]acridine-7-carbonitriles were obtained by heterocyclization of the purple dyes with SOCl2. The highest yield achieved in the synthesis of the title dyes is 74 %. The structures of the new purple and green heterocyclic dyes were confirmed through elemental analysis and spectroscopic data. The photophysical properties of the dyes were investigated using a UV–visible spectrophotometer and a fluorophotometer. The electrochemical characteristics of the purple dyes and fluorescent heterocyclic systems were also studied using cyclic voltammetry. The geometries of the dyes, as well as their highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels, were determined through theoretical calculations using density functional theory (DFT). Furthermore, the photovoltaic performance parameters of the new dyes were examined by analyzing their incident photon-to-current efficiency (IPCE) spectra and current-voltage (I-V) curves. The experimental results showed that the purple dyes exhibited remarkable photovoltaic performances, up to 6.55 %.

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

Synthesis and Photovoltaic Performance of β-Amino-Substituted Porphyrin Derivatives.

New β-amino-substituted porphyrin derivatives bearing carboxy groups were synthesized and their performance as sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) was evaluated. The new compounds were obtained in good yields (63-74%) through nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions with 3-sulfanyl- and 4-sulfanylbenzoic acids. Although the electrochemical studies indicated suitable HOMO and LUMO energy levels for use in DSSC, the devices fabricated with these compounds revealed a low power conversion efficiency (PCE) that is primarily due to the low open-circuit voltage (Voc) and short-circuit current density (Jsc) values.

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.

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.

Structural Refinement and Optoelectrical Properties of Nd2Ru2O7 and Gd2Ru2O7 Pyrochlore Oxides for Photovoltaic Applications.

High-performance photovoltaic devices require active photoanodes with superior optoelectric properties. In this study, we synthesized neodymium ruthenate, Nd2Ru2O7 (NRO), and gadolinium ruthenate pyrochlore oxides, Gd2Ru2O7 (GRO), via the solid-state reaction technique, showcasing their potential as promising candidates for photoanode absorbers to enhance the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells. A structural analysis revealed predominantly cubic symmetry phases for both materials within the Fd-3m space group, along with residual orthorhombic symmetry phases (Nd3RuO7 and Gd3RuO7, respectively) refined in the Pnma space group. Raman spectroscopy further confirmed these phases, identifying distinct active modes of vibration in the predominant pyrochlore oxides. Additionally, a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) elucidated the morphology and chemical composition of the compounds. The average grain size was determined to be approximately 0.5 µm for GRO and 1 µm for NRO. Electrical characterization via I-V measurements revealed that these pyrochlore oxides exhibit n-type semiconductor behavior, with conductivity estimated at 1.5 (Ohm·cm)-1 for GRO and 4.5 (Ohm·cm)-1 for NRO. Collectively, these findings position these metallic oxides as promising absorber materials for solar panels.

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