Low-cost Dye-sensitized Solar Cells Research Articles

Significant effects of mesoporus Bi2S3/ poly (vinylpyrrolidone) composites on DSSC performance

Herein, we report bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) synthesis via the hydrothermal method for low-cost dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSCs). A detailed characterization of Bi2S3/poly (vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) material was carried out by various characterization technique. The J–V curves and cyclic voltammogram were examined using a solar simulator to evaluate power conversion efficiency (PCE) and its catalytic activities. The experiment was then repeated with a different amount of PVP agent surfactant to improve their power conversion efficiency. With the help of 1.0 g PVP, its conversion efficiency reached 3.35%, which was superior to the Bi2S3 without PVP addition. The results indicate that the Bi2S3/1.0 g PVP composites is a promising alternative to the costly Pt CE and can minimize the cost of dye-sensitized solar cells.

Tuning the Properties of Reduced Graphene Oxide-Sr0.7Sm0.3Fe0.4Co0.6O3 Nanocomposites as Potential Photoanodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

The generation of electricity using solar energy is an effective system to overcome the current global energy crisis. In this regard, developing new semiconductor materials can be of great interest in overcoming the challenge of charge carrier recombination and, hence, improving the power conversion efficiency (PCE) in photovoltaic devices, particularly dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Here, reduced graphene oxide-Sr0.7Sm0.3Fe0.6Co0.4O3 (RGO-SSFC) nanocomposites were synthesized using the hydrothermal method and characterized with the aid of microscopic and spectroscopic techniques, as well as a vibrating sample magnetometer, and further tested for application as photoanodes in DSSCs. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of RGO nanosheets that were fully decorated by irregular- and spherical-shaped SSFC nanoparticles. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the strong synergistic interaction of the RGO-SSFC nanocomposites. The large surface area of RGO-SSFC nanocomposite photoanodes facilitated effective dye loading, high photon absorption, and efficient electron transfer, resulting in better device performance. Compared to RGO-SSFC-0.1 and RGO-SSFC-1.0, the RGO-SSFC-0.5 nanocomposite showed an enhanced open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.84 V, short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 14.02 mA cm−2 , and a PCE of 7.25%. Eosin B and MK-2 organic dyes used as photosensitizers coated on the RGO-SSFC semiconductors resulted in low-cost DSSC photoanodes.Graphical

TiO2 Crystallization at Room Temperature and Preparation of Transparent Carbon Counter Electrode for Low-Cost Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

TiO2 Crystallization at Room Temperature and Preparation of Transparent Carbon Counter Electrode for Low-Cost Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Facile synthesis of cobalt sulfide/carbon nanotube composites as a low-cost Pt-free counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs)

In this work, a nanocomposite of CoS2 with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) has been prepared using simple hydrothermal technique. Further, CoS2/CNT composite was charecterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and N2 adsorption-desorption to study the crystallinity, surface morphology chemical composition with chemical states and textural properties, respectively. The cyclic voltammetric tests recorded an enhanced electrocatalytic activity when the CoS2 was deposited onto the surface of the MWCNTs. Additionally, consecutive cyclic voltammetric tests demonstrated that the CE possessed excellent electrochemical stability. Thus, the DSSC assembled with CoS2/MWCNT CE showed an enhanced photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 8.85 ± 0.03 % (compared to 1.84 ± 0.03 % for DSSCs with MWCNT CE or 2.87 ± 0.04 % for CoS2 CE alone) under full sunlight illumination (100 mW cm−2, AM1.5 G) due to the superior electrocatalytic activity of the out-shell CoS2 material and highly specific surface of the MWCNTs. Therefore, the CoS2/MWCNT composite can be considered as a promising alternative CE for use in low-cost DSSCs.

Facile fabrication of NiO doped PVDF-co-HFP/Mg(ClO4)2polymer composite membrane as a counter electrode in low-cost dye-sensitized solar cells

ABSTRACT Poly(vinylidene co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) has gained considerable attention as an alternative to the commercial separators in energy devices. NiO nanofiller-based solid polymer composite electrolytic thin membranes (PVDF-co-HFP:Mg(ClO4)2:NiO) were prepared using solid PVDF-co-HFP copolymer and Mg(ClO4)2via the solution-casting method. The obtained thin membranes were structurally characterized by FTIR, the porosity of the membrane was analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an optimum SEM micrograph of 20.0 μm magnification was taken to analyze the exact porous diameter distribution frequency. XRD analysis was used to confirm the physical state of the PVDF-co-HFP membrane and the composite membrane of (PVDF-co-HFP:Mg(ClO4)2:NiO). Structural studies related to XRD peaks were broadened at an optimized Mg(ClO4)2 salt concentration, confirming the presence of maximum amorphous content in the PVDF-co-HFP:Mg(ClO4)2 composite. Using the Nyquist plot, the ohmic resistance (R Ω ), polarization resistance (R P ), and Warburg impedance (W) were determined to be at their lowest values for an optimum concentration of NiO nanofiller in the PVDF-co-HFP:Mg(ClO4)2:NiO composite. The homogeneous dispersion of the nanofiller significantly improved the contact between electrode and electrolyte interfaces, resulting in high ionic conductivity. The DC and AC ionic conductivities of the pure PVDF-co-HFP and composite membrane of (PVDF-co-HFP:Mg(ClO4)2:NiO) was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and the optimum ionic conductivity was estimated as . A spin-coating technique was employed to prepare dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). The fill factor and efficiency (= 11.12532 were estimated from the J-V graph.

Hibiscus Leachate Dye-Based Low-Cost and Flexible Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Prepared by Screen Printing.

Although the price of dye-sensitized solar cells is lower than other solar cells, they still contain some high-cost materials, such as transparent conductive substrates, dyes (ruthenium dyes, organic dyes, etc.), and platinum counter electrodes. To solve this problem, a dye-sensitized solar cell based on hibiscus leaching solution and carbon black–silver electrodes was prepared by screen printing. The prepared low-cost dye-sensitized solar cells were flexible. The open-circuit voltage (Voc) of the obtained dye-sensitized solar cell is 0.65 V, the current density (Jsc) is 90 μA/cm², and the fill factor (FF) is 0.241.

Carminic acid extracted from cochineal insect as photosensitizer for dye‐sensitized solar cells

In an attempt to investigate influence of the utilization of organic dyes on photovoltaic performance of low-cost dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), carminic acid (CA) obtained from cochineal insect was employed as photosensitizer to fabricate DSSCs. To recognize light absorption behavior of the CA, UV-Vis spectroscopy was taken. The CA comprises noticeable spectrum of solar radiation, 430 to 540 nm that makes it appropriate for use as a photosensitizer in DSSCs. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of the CA revealed the presence of carboxylic functionality, enabling good anchorage to the surface of TiO2. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis manifests that the suppression of the electron recombination at the TiO2/CA/electrolyte interface was insufficient. Quantum chemical calculations of the CA dye were performed by using the density functional theory (DFT). The lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) level of the CA matched well for the injection of electron from the CA to the conduction band edge of TiO2. The achieved photo-conversion efficiency of a DSSC employing the CA photosensitizer was 1%, which was found to be much higher than that of several natural dyes-based DSSCs under a simulated solar light illumination of 100 mW/cm2.

Facile construction of a polypyrrole-cobalt sulfide counter electrode for low-cost dye-sensitized solar cells.

A polypyrrole–cobalt sulfide composite counter electrode (CE) was prepared in this work. Firstly, polypyrrole (PPy) nanorods were prepared by an in situ polymerization method on FTO, then cobalt sulfide (CoS) nanoparticles were coated on PPy nanorods by the electrodeposition method. The DSSC with PPy–CoS CE exhibits superior photoelectric conversion efficiency than that based on platinum (Pt, one of common counter electrodes), which is 7.52%, improving more than 20% compared to Pt CE (6.19%). In addition, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements demonstrated that the PPy–CoS CE exhibited excellent catalytic performance for I3−/I− solution.

Electrodeposited mixed ZnS–CdS photoelectrode for natural dye-sensitized solar cells (NDSSC)

Photoelectrodes and sensitizers are the vital components of future low-cost dye-sensitized solar cells which are used to meet the present energy demand. Herein, ZnS–CdS thin film photoelectrodes (WE) prepared on steel substrate by electrodeposition method are sensitized by chlorophyll extract and combined with graphite counter electrode, both being dipped in sulphide–polysulphide redox electrolytes (S2−/S n 2− ) to form the dye-sensitized solar cells with the following configuration: $${\text{photoelectrode}} + {\text{dye}}//{\text{Na}}_{2} {\text{S}}(1{\text{M}}) + {\text{NaOH}}(1{\text{M}}) + {\text{S}}(1{\text{M}})//{\text{C}}({\text{Graphite}}).$$ The photoelectrochemical characterizations of the dye-sensitized thin film photoelectrodes under investigation include current–voltage (I–V) characteristics in dark and light, spectral photoresponse and cells power output. Photoelectrodes are found to be n-type semiconductors. From the power output curves, the light-to-electricity conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized ZnS–CdS electrode (8 h sensitization)-based solar cells, short-circuit current density (Jsc) and open-circuit voltage (Voc) is found to be 0.29, 0.51 mA/cm2 and 0.34 V respectively. The PXRD results show that the fabricated mixed ZnS–CdS thin films are made up of nanocrystals of size ~ 9.12 nm. Surface morphology of the films is studied, and SEM micrograms establish the polycrystalline nature of mixed ZnS–CdS thin films. The EDAX (energy diffraction analysis of X-ray) results show the presence of Zn, Cd and S in the thin films.

Self-Assembly Synthesis of the MoS2/PtCo Alloy Counter Electrodes for High-Efficiency and Stable Low-Cost Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

In this work, MoS2 microspheres/PtCo-alloy nanoparticles (MoS2/PtCo-alloy NPs) were composited via a novel and facile process which MoS2 is functionalized by poly (N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP) and self-assembled with PtCo-alloy NPs. This new composite shows excellent electrocatalytic activity and great potential for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) as a counter electrode (CE) material. Benefiting from heterostructure and synergistic effects, the MoS2/PtCo-alloy NPs exhibit high electrocatalytic activity, low charge-transfer resistance and stability in the cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) test. Meanwhile, a high power-conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.46% is achieved in DSSCs with MoS2/PtCo-alloy NP CEs, which are comparable to traditional Pt CEs (8.45%). This novel composite provides a new high-performance, stable and cheap choice for CEs in DSSCs.

Graphene-Si3N4 nanocomposite blended polymer counter electrode for low-cost dye-sensitized solar cells

In this study equal weights of graphene and Si3N4 nanoparticles were mechanically mixed with PEDOT:PSS to a form uniform solution. Graphene-Si3N4/PEDOT:PSS (GNP-Si3N4/PEDOT:PSS) composite films were prepared by spin coating on transparent conducting glass as low-cost counter electrodes (CEs) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The electrocatalytic property of the GNP-Si3N4/PEDOT:PSS CE was characterized by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Finally, a DSSC based on GNP-Si3N4/PEDOT:PSS CE containing 100 mg GNP-Si3N4 achieved and an efficiency of 5.24% under simulated solar irradiation of 100 mW cm−2. This is comparable to the performance of the Pt CE which had a cell efficiency of 5.37%.

Conversion of CO2 to 3D graphene as counter electrode for food dye-sensitized solar cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) provide an efficient method to convert the solar energy into electricity. In this study, the reaction of CO2 and Na to produce 3D graphene as counter electrode (CE) for DSSCs was reported. DSSCs with graphene CE exhibited higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) compared with Pt CE. Furthermore, food dye Erythrosin B was employed to replace the expensive ruthenium based dyes (N719 or N3). This provided a novel approach for CO2 utilization on producing graphene and for fabricating low-cost DSSCs.

Photoelectric evaluation of dye-sensitized solar cells based on prodigiosin pigment derived from Serratia marcescens 11E

Prodigiosin, a natural pigment produced as a secondary metabolite by the non-photosynthetic bacterium Serratia marcescens, was tested as a sensitizer in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). The strain S. marcescens 11E, which was isolated from a natural spring located in the northeastern Mexican state of Nuevo Leon, was cultivated on peanut oil broth 1% v/v, a culture medium which is known to enhance the production of prodigiosin. The resulting pigment was extracted with chloroform and identified as prodigiosin based on the spectroscopic and structural characteristics obtained by UV–Vis spectrophotometry along with FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopies. The initial absorbance decomposition test performed on the bacterial pigment demonstrated that prodigiosin exhibited high photostability after five days, while the photovoltaic performance test of the sensitized DSSC, resulted in an open voltage circuit of 560 mV, a current density of 0.096 mA/cm2, and efficiency of 0.032%. Structurally, the DSSC consisted of a titanium dioxide (TiO2) photoanode sensitized with the pigment by direct adsorption, an electrolyte containing a redox pair I−/I3− and a cathode or counter electrode prepared from a carbon paste. Since the overproduction of prodigiosin can be easily achieved on a large scale through the rapid fermentation of agro-industrial residues throughout the year without the need to allocate surfaces for the cultivation of pigment-producing plants or wait for specific seasons for their cultivation, our results suggest that prodigiosin could be considered an excellent candidate to be used in the development of a low-tech, low-cost DSSC.

Performance Comparison of Cost Efficient Natural Dye Sensitized Solar Cell

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) enticed the attention in photovoltaic design due to their unique features of ease of fabrication, low-cost materials, tunable color, and flexibility. In this work, we studied the performance of a low cost dye-sensitized solar cell structure with several natural dyes as a sensitizer. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) was used as the semiconducting layer. The TiO2 film was fabricated on Florine doped Tin Oxide (FTO) glass plate and was annealed and sintered for an hour at 450°C temperature to create a mesoporous layer. To reduce the manufacturing cost, we used Carbon black instead of Platinum (Pt) as a counter electrode. Carbon black provides excellent stability and shows high catalytic ability along with its low cost as the counter electrode in the DSSCs. Eight different dyes have been extracted and purified by Silica gel column chromatography to use in the DSSCs. UV-Visible absorption spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy has been done to measure the absorbance coefficient and fluorescence coefficient of each of the cells. The cells with an additional peak in the fluorescence spectra showed much better electrical performance compared with others. Among the fabricated DSSCs, the Curcuma longa based DSSC gives the highest open-circuit voltage of 0.5959 V and short circuit current density of 1.06 mA/cm2. The study also indicates that the dyes with a peak at 380 nm to 400 nm wavelength at fluorescence spectrum has better photovoltaic performance rather with a moderate absorbance spectrum.

Influence of Inorganic Binder Composition on the Structure-Property Relationship of Monolithic Dye-sensitized Solar Cells with Carbon-based Counter Electrode

In order to fabricate a low-cost dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), carbon has become a highly preferred catalytic material as counter-electrode, particularly for DSSC with monolithic structure. This paper presents novel synthesis method of carbon-based composite pastes using two types of carbon material, i.e. carbon nanopowder and activated carbon. The concentrations of the inorganic binder added to the composite pastes were varied to investigate their effect on the physical properties of the counter electrode and the electronic properties of the constructed monolithic DSSC. The inorganic binder used in this work was titanium dioxide nanoparticles, Evonik P25. After optimization, power conversion efficiency of 0.221% was achieved by the monolithic DSSC with counter electrode composite comprising activated carbon and titanium dioxide with weight concentration of 0.5 g and 0.25 g, respectively. Characterizations using gas sorption technique showed that the shape of the hysteresis curves obtained for all composites resembled the isotherm curve Type II and H3, indicating the presence of micropores. Furthermore, higher concentration of titanium dioxide nanoparticles as binder led to counter electrode with lower surface area. The solar cell efficiency, however, was found to be not only correlated to the surface area or the binder composition, but it was also determined by the type of the carbon material.

Binary Iodides and Polyethylene Oxide (PEO) Based Gel Polymer Electrolyte for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

There are immense benefits of improving low-cost dyesensitized solar cells (DSCs) since solar energy is a promising renewable energy resource..

Enhancing the Efficiency of a Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Based on a Metal Oxide Nanocomposite Gel Polymer Electrolyte.

To overcome the critical limitations of liquid-electrolyte-based dye-sensitized solar cells, quasi-solid-state electrolytes have been explored as a means of addressing long-term device stability, albeit with comparatively low ionic conductivities and device performances. Although metal oxide additives have been shown to augment ionic conductivity, their propensity to aggregate into large crystalline particles upon high-heat annealing hinders their full potential in quasi-solid-state electrolytes. In this work, sonochemical processing has been successfully applied to generate fine Co3O4 nanoparticles that are highly dispersible in a PAN:P(VP-co-VAc) polymer-blended gel electrolyte, even after calcination. An optimized nanocomposite gel polymer electrolyte containing 3 wt % sonicated Co3O4 nanoparticles (PVVA-3) delivers the highest ionic conductivity (4.62 × 10-3 S cm-1) of the series. This property is accompanied by a 51% enhancement in the apparent diffusion coefficient of triiodide versus both unmodified and unsonicated electrolyte samples. The dye-sensitized solar cell based on PVVA-3 displays a power conversion efficiency of 6.46% under AM1.5 G, 100 mW cm-2. By identifying the optimal loading of sonochemically processed nanoparticles, we are able to generate a homogenous extended particle network that effectively mobilizes redox-active species through a highly amorphous host matrix. This effect is manifested in a selective 51% enhancement in photocurrent density (JSC = 16.2 mA cm-2) and a lowered barrier to N719 dye regeneration (RCT = 193 Ω) versus an unmodified solar cell. To the best of our knowledge, this work represents the highest known efficiency to date for dye-sensitized solar cells based on a sonicated Co3O4-modified gel polymer electrolyte. Sonochemical processing, when applied in this manner, has the potential to make meaningful contributions toward the ongoing mission to achieve the widespread exploitation of stable and low-cost dye-sensitized solar cells.

Synthesis of electrospun 1D-photoanode nanocomposite based on electrospinning followed by hydrothermal treatment for highly efficient liquid-junction photovoltaic devices

Electrospinning has received much interest as a versatile fabrication technique for 1D (one-dimension) nanomaterials. This study introduces a novel 1D nanomaterial, N&GO@Zr/TiO2, which was synthesized through electrospinning followed by hydrothermal methods and applied as a photoanode in low-cost dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The prepared material was characterized via FESEM, EDX mapping, XRD, and XPS analyses. After the hydrothermal step, there was an enhancement in the crystallinity, which is attributed to the high growth rate of the anatase crystallites. Then, the performance of DSCs incorporating the photoanodes was investigated by J–V curves, IPCE, dye loading, and EIS, and a high photoresponse efficiency of 5.3% was obtained, which is higher than the efficiencies for cells based on nitrogen-doped Zr/TiO2 nanofibers (NFs) (5.0%) and GO@Zr/TiO2 NFs (5.1%). Besides the crystallinity enhancement, Zr doping can affect the electronic properties of the pristine TiO2 via the replacement of Ti4+ by Zr4+, which has different size and electronegativity. Hence, this composite was used as a substrate for the photoanode after GO&N doping. GO can improve the electron transport via increasing the photoanode conductivity, which is demonstrated via impedance studies, and N can increase the current produced via the enhancement of dye loading, which is studied through UV–visible spectroscopy. This study introduces the preparation of the novel nanocomposites toward highly efficient low-cost liquid-junction photovoltaics.

Acetylene carbon black-graphite composite as low-cost and efficient counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs)

In this work, we investigated the morphology, electrical conductivity, catalytic properties, and binding energies of electronic states of a system consisting of acetylene carbon black (AB) and graphite as efficient and low-cost counter electrodes (CEs) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), where ratios of AB to graphite of 0:1, 1:3, 1:1, 3:1, and 1:0 were investigated. These carbon-based CEs were characterized using four-point probe conductivity measurement, field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NAXAFS), electrochemical impedance spectrum (EIS), and current-voltage (I-V) performance. Introduction of small AB particles into graphite paste enhanced the electronic conductivity of AB-graphite composite due to the bridging of the graphite flakes for electrocatalytic activity of triiodide reduction. AB particles also offer large surface area to provide high electrochemical performance in DSSCs. The overall highest power conversion efficiency of 5.06% was achieved for the DSSC fabricated with a CE consisting of AB-graphite ratio of 3:1, which is comparable to the DSSC performance with conventional platinum (Pt) CE. These findings suggest that AB and graphite composite could be a promising CE for low-cost DSSCs.

Perovskite-type La1−xCaxMnO3 manganese oxides as effective counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Perovskite-type La1−xCaxMnO3 (0.1≤x≤0.4) manganites with perfect crystallinity were synthesized by a sol–gel method and used as low-cost platinum-free counter electrodes (CEs) for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSCs). It is found that the performance of the cells increases with the increase in x, the highest energy conversion efficiency being 6.46% when x=0.3, which is up to 91.2% of Pt CE (7.08%). The phenomena can be ascribed to the improved conductivity of the system with Ca doping. Besides, the sol-gel method is more suitable for large-scale preparation compared to the solvothermal method and hydrothermal method. This work will open up a new way to explore CE materials for high efficiency and low cost DSSCs.