Double-layer novel zinc porphyrin based on axial coordination self-assembly for dye-sensitized solar cells

Porphyrin dyes have an inherent tendency to aggregate. This leads to a self-quenching phenomenon that hinders electron transfer to the conduction band of semiconductors in dye-sensitized solar cells. Self-quenching adversely affects the efficiency of solar cells. Here, we report the interaction of porphyrin with pristine and acid-functionalized fullerene molecules on the surface of ZnO nanoparticles under chemisorbed conditions. Chemisorption of porphyrin only on ZnO nanoparticles instigates aggregation of the porphyrin molecules. These aggregates can be effectively broken by chemisorbing fullerene molecules on the surface of the ZnO nanoparticles. This is due to self-assembly formation processes because of porphyrin–fullerene interactions. The nanohybrid material, consisting of ZnO nanorods, acid-functionalized porphyrin, and fullerene derivatives, was characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The material generates better performing dye-sensitized solar cells when compared with those fabricated from porphyrin-based photo-active material.

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Acid Treatment of Titania Pastes to Create Scattering Layers in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

International Journal of Photoenergy ◽

10.1155/2012/637839 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Trystan Watson ◽

Cecile Charbonneau ◽

Daniel Bryant ◽

David Worsley

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Self Assembly ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Transparent Film ◽

Similar Function ◽

Short Term ◽

Acid Pretreatment ◽

Scattering Layer ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

In dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC) scattering layers are used to increase the path length of light incident on the TiO2film. This is typically achieved by the deposition of an additional TiO2layer on top of an existing transparent film and designed to trap light. In this work we show that a simple acid pretreatment can lead to the formation of a scattering “skin” on the surface of a single TiO2film performing a similar function to a scattering layer without any additional depositions. This is important in increasing manufacturing throughput for DSCs as further TiO2depositions require additional materials and heat treatment. The pretreatment leads to self-assembly of a scattering layer of TiO2which covers the surface on short-term immersion (<30 min) and penetrates the bulk layer upon longer immersion. The method has been shown to increase the efficiency of the device by 20%.

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Improved Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells with TiO2 Nanoparticles/Zn-Doped TiO2 Hollow Fiber Photoanodes

Energies ◽

10.3390/en11112922 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 2922 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Zainal Arifin ◽

Suyitno Suyitno ◽

Syamsul Hadi ◽

Bayu Sutanto

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Tio2 Nanoparticles ◽

Double Layer ◽

Short Circuit ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Photocurrent Density ◽

Light Transmittance ◽

Doped Tio2 ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

In this study, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated using double-layer photoanodes consisting of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) and Zn-doped TiO2 hollow fibers (HFs). The TiO2 HFs were prepared by co-axial electrospinning and used as the light-scattering layer in the DSSC. The thickness variations of the TiO2 NP and Zn-doped TiO2 HF photoanode layers affect the performance of the DSSC, especially the short-circuit photocurrent density. The thickness of the TiO2 NP layer significantly affected the absorbance of photons and N719 dye molecules in the double-layer photoanode, while that of the Zn-doped TiO2 HF layer affected the scattering of light, as indicated by the low light transmittance in the photoanode. Conventional DSSCs consist of single-layer photoanodes, and exhibit relatively low efficiency, i.e., 1.293% and 0.89% for TiO2 NP and Zn-doped TiO2 HF, respectively. However, herein, the highest efficiency of the DSSC (3.122%) was achieved with a 15 μm NP-5 μm HF photoanode, for which the short-circuit photocurrent density, open-circuit photovoltage, and fill factor were 15.81 mA/cm2, 0.566 V, and 34.91%, respectively.

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