Structural and Optical Properties of Chemically Deposited Metal
Chalcogenide Thin Film CrS and its Photovoltaic Application

In this work, chromium sulfide (CrS) thin films were grown on the acetic acid substrates by chemical bath deposition to prepare non-toxic photovoltaic devices. The combined single-source precursor approach has been developed for the deposition method using tris(diethyldithiocarbamato)chromium(III) for the deposition of CrS thin films grown at bath temperatures of 30, 60 and 90 ºC and at a constant deposition time of 30-120 min. The sufrace mophology of the prepared films have been analyzed by SEM and HR-TEM techniques. The study of the films indicate the distributed roughness and nano bundled hexagonal structures. The energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy analysis conformed the presence of Cr and S. The polycrystalline behaviour of the films was studied by an XRD study which revealed the mixed phases with a predicted crystallite size of 20 nm. The optical measurements showed films had a maximum transmittance of 90% in the visible region and the evaluated energy band varied in the range of 2.2-2.378 eV with the change of bath temperatures. This suggests that CrS thin film prepared at 90 ºC has enhanced crystalline superiority. According to photoluminescence (PL) analysis, the green emission can be attributed to the presence of several deep trap states or defects in the CrS structure. Moreover, natural dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) in CrS thin film prepared at 90 ºC, Jsc (28.0 mA/cm2) produced a larger voltage in the short circuit as compared to synthetic dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) using CrS thin film Jsc (22.5 mA/cm2).

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Thiocyanate Free Ruthenium(II) Complexes for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs)

Defect and Diffusion Forum ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/ddf.382.369 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 382 ◽

pp. 369-373

Author(s):

Usana Mahanitipong ◽

Preeyapat Prompan ◽

Rukkiat Jitchati

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Short Circuit ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Visible Region ◽

Photocurrent Density ◽

Open Circuit ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Ligand Charge Transfer ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Open Circuit Photovoltage

The four thiocyanate free ruthenium(II) complexes; [Ru(N^N)2(C^N)]PF6were synthesized and characterized for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The results showed that the broad absorptions covered the visible region from metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) were obtained with the main peaks at 560, 490 and 400 nm. The materials were studied DSSC performance under standard AM 1.5. Compound PP1 showed the power conversion efﬁciency (PCE) at 3.10%, with a short-circuit photocurrent density (Jsc) of 7.99 mA cm-2, an open-circuit photovoltage (Voc) of 563 mV and a high ﬁll factor (ff) of 0.690.

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Enhancing the Efficiency of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells by Using Anatase and Brookite Mixed Phases of TiO2

Journal of Nanoelectronics and Optoelectronics ◽

10.1166/jno.2019.2535 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (11) ◽

pp. 1582-1588 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M. I. Khan ◽

Shahnawaz ◽

Shahid Imran ◽

Muhammad Waqas Yousaf ◽

A. Wahab ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thin Films ◽

Solar Cells ◽

Anatase Phase ◽

Sol Gel ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Visible Region ◽

Mixed Phase ◽

Solar Simulator ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

The phases of TiO2 have an important role in the efficiency of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this research, the effects of anatase and mixed phases (brookite and anatase) of TiO2 on the efficiency of DSSCs have been reported. 2% Cu doped TiO2 (Cu:TiO2) thin films are prepared by sol–gel dip coating technique. These films are annealed at the temperatures of "350 °C, 450 °C, 550 °C and 650 °C." XRD showed that at 550 °C and 650 °C, films have mixed phases of TiO2. Also, it showed that grain size is increased by increasing temperature. No extra phases of Cu like CuO etc. were observed in XRD graphs, which confirmed that Cu is completely dissolved into TiO2. UV-Vis results showed that all the films have more than 80% transmittance in the visible region. The optical band gap energy (Eg) of films at "350 °C, 450 °C, 550 °C and 650 °C" is 3.96, 3.81, 3.75 and 3.64 eV, respectively. The electrical resistivity of these thin films by four point probe technique is calculated as 121.8 × 102 Ω-m, 95.69 × 102 Ω-m, 86.65 × 102 Ω-m and 76.3 × 102Ω-m respectively. Solar simulator results showed that the current density (Jsc) of mixed phase is higher than single phase, causing higher efficiency. The maximum Jsc 5.12 mAcm–2 is achieved at 650 °C (mixed phase), resulting in higher efficiency of 2.35% which is more than 100 times the efficiency of anatase phase which has 1.18%. This work will provide a way to enhance the efficiency of DSSCs by using mixed phases of TiO2. In future, if 1-D structure of these mixed phases is used in DSSCs then efficiency of DSSCs will improve definitely (or positively).

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Facile Synthesis of ZnO@TiO2Core-Shell Nanorod Thin Films for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Journal of Nanomaterials ◽

10.1155/2015/647089 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Xiaoxu Ji ◽

Wumei Liu ◽

Yumin Leng ◽

Aihua Wang

Keyword(s):

Thin Films ◽

Solar Cells ◽

Short Circuit ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Photoelectric Conversion Efficiency ◽

Core Shell ◽

Mixed Solution ◽

Photoelectric Conversion ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

ZnO nanorod thin films grown on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glasses have been synthesized via facile thermal evaporation. To optimize the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), we fabricated ZnO@TiO2core-shell composite by a simple dip-coating method immersed in the mixed solution of Ti(OC4H9) and ethanol. Results of solar cell testing showed that ZnO@TiO2core-shell nanorod thin films on FTO significantly increased open circuit voltage (from 0.47 V to 0.53 V), short circuit current (from 10.78 mA/cm2to 13.98 mA/cm2), and fill factor (from 51% to 55%). The photoelectric conversion efficiency (PEC) increased from 3.3% for bare ZnO DSSCs to 4.85% for ZnO@TiO2core-shell structured DSSCs. This is mainly ascribed to the improvement in light harvesting efficiency, electron transfer, and the effective suppression of charge recombination.

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Solution Processed Silver Nanoparticles in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Journal of Nanomaterials ◽

10.1155/2014/357979 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Marko Berginc ◽

Urša Opara Krašovec ◽

Marko Topič

Keyword(s):

Heat Treatment ◽

Silver Nanoparticles ◽

Solar Cells ◽

Short Circuit ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Optical Measurements ◽

Plasmonic Effect ◽

Ag Nps ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

A plasmonic effect of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is studied. The solutions of silver nitrate in isopropanol, ethylene glycol, or in TiO2sol were examined as possible precursors for Ag NPs formation. The solutions were dip-coated on the top of the porous TiO2layer. The results of optical measurements confirmed the formation of Ag NPs throughout the porous TiO2layer after the heat treatment of the layers above 100°C. Heat treatment at 220°C was found to be optimal regarding the formation of the Ag NPs. The porous TiO2layers with Ag NPs have been evaluated also in DSSC by measuring current-voltage characteristics and the external quantum efficiency of the cells. In addition, the amount of adsorbed dye has been determined to prove the plasmonic effect in the cells. TheI-Vcharacterization of the DSSCs revealed an increase of the short circuit current in the presence of Ag NPs although the amount of the attached dye molecules decreased. These results confirm that the performance enhancement is related to the plasmonic effect. However, neither a thin sol-gel TiO2layer nor poly(4-vinylpyridine) shells provide effective protection for the long term stability of the Ag NPs against the corrosion ofI3-/I-based electrolyte.

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Hydrophobic Anti-Reflective Coating of Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposited Diamond-Like Carbon Thin Films with Various Thicknesses for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11010358 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 358

Author(s):

Jae-Sil Song ◽

Yong Seob Park ◽

Nam-Hoon Kim

Keyword(s):

Thin Films ◽

Solar Cells ◽

Short Circuit ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Chemical Vapor ◽

Open Circuit ◽

Diamond Like Carbon ◽

Reflective Coating ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin films, prepared by a radio frequency plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) system, were investigated for application as an anti-reflective coating (ARC) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with a change in film thickness. The strength of the Raman spectrum, G-peak position, and ID/IG ratio, related to sp3 bonds in the DLC thin films, is directly attributed to some tribological properties including surface roughness, hardness, elastic modulus, friction coefficient, and contact angle. Some optical properties, such as transmittance, refractive index, and absorption coefficient, were examined after changing the thickness of DLC thin films. The optimal short-circuit current density (Jsc), open-circuit voltage (Voc), and fill factor (FF) values were obtained for the significantly improved conversion efficiency (CE) from 4.92% to 5.35% in the 60 nm thick PECVD DLC ARC for DSSCs with hard and hydrophobic surfaces.

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Are Alkynyl Spacers in Ancillary Ligands in Heteroleptic Bis(diimine)copper(I) Dyes Beneficial for Dye Performance in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells?

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules25071528 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (7) ◽

pp. 1528 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Guglielmo Risi ◽

Mariia Becker ◽

Catherine E. Housecroft ◽

Edwin C. Constable

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Electrochemical Impedance ◽

Short Circuit ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Visible Region ◽

Short Circuit Current ◽

Short Circuit Current Density ◽

Ancillary Ligands ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

The syntheses of 4,4′-bis(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (1), 4,4′-bis(4-dimethylaminophenylethynyl)-6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (2), 4,4′-bis(4-diphenylaminophenyl)-6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (3), and 4,4′-bis(4-diphenylaminophenylethynyl)-6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (4) are reported along with the preparations and characterisations of their homoleptic copper(I) complexes [CuL2][PF6] (L = 1–4). The solution absorption spectra of the complexes exhibit ligand-centred absorptions in addition to absorptions in the visible region assigned to a combination of intra-ligand and metal-to-ligand charge-transfer. Heteroleptic [Cu(5)(Lancillary)]+ dyes in which 5 is the anchoring ligand ((6,6′-dimethyl-[2,2′-bipyridine]-4,4′-diyl)bis(4,1-phenylene))bis(phosphonic acid) and Lancillary = 1–4 have been assembled on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO)-TiO2 electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Performance parameters and external quantum efficiency (EQE) spectra of the DSCs (four fully-masked cells for each dye) reveal that the best performing dyes are [Cu(5)(1)]+ and [Cu(5)(3)]+. The alkynyl spacers are not beneficial, leading to a decrease in the short-circuit current density (JSC), confirmed by lower values of EQEmax. Addition of a co-absorbent (n-decylphosphonic acid) to [Cu(5)(1)]+ lead to no significant enhancement of performance for DSCs sensitized with [Cu(5)(1)]+. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has been used to investigate the interfaces in DSCs; the analysis shows that more favourable electron injection into TiO2 is observed for sensitizers without the alkynyl spacer and confirms higher JSC values for [Cu(5)(1)]+.

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Preparation of TiO2 Thin Films by Electrophoresis Deposition Method for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Key Engineering Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.350.151 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 350 ◽

pp. 151-154 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kunio Yamamoto ◽

Kenji Sakai ◽

Shinzo Yoshikado

Keyword(s):

Thin Film ◽

Thin Films ◽

Solar Cells ◽

Tio2 Thin Film ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Tio2 Thin Films ◽

High Quality ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Ito Glass ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

The purpose of this study is to prepare high-quality TiO2 thin films for dye-sensitized solar cells using the electrophoresis method. A high-quality TiO2 thin film has a thickness of approximately 10 μm and no crack on the surface. In this study, TiO2 thin films were deposited by changing the configuration of electrophoresis electrodes. When electrodes were set parallel to horizontal and ITO glass substrate was set in the upper electrode, an excellent TiO2 thin film of approximately 10 μm thickness was obtained by depositing very thin TiO2 films as a buffer layer. The new film has the highest open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current density.

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Improving of the Photovoltaic Characteristics of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using a Photoelectrode with Electrospun Porous TiO2 Nanofibers

Nanomaterials ◽

10.3390/nano9010095 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 95 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Min Jo ◽

Jung Cho ◽

Xuan Wang ◽

En Jin ◽

Sang Jeong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Light Scattering ◽

Short Circuit ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Visible Region ◽

Photoelectric Conversion ◽

Tio2 Nanofibers ◽

Porous Tio2 ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

Porous TiO2 nanofibers (PTFs) and dense TiO2 nanofibers (DTFs) were prepared using simple electrospinning for application in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). TiO2 nanoparticles (TNPs) were prepared using a hydrothermal reaction. The as-prepared PTFs and DTFs (with a fiber diameter of around 200 nm) were mixed with TNPs such as TNP-PTF and TNP-DTF nanocomposites used in photoelectrode materials or were coated as light scattering layers on the photoelectrodes to improve the charge transfer ability and light harvesting effect of the DSSCs. The as-prepared TNPs showed a pure anatase phase, while the PTFs and DTFs showed both the anatase and rutile phases. The TNP-PTF composite (TNP:PTF = 9:1 wt.%) exhibited an enhanced short circuit photocurrent density (Jsc) of 14.95 ± 1.03 mA cm−2 and a photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE, η) of 5.4 ± 0.17% because of the improved charge transport and accessibility for the electrolyte ions. In addition, the TNP/PTF photoelectrode showed excellent light absorption in the visible region because of the mountainous nature of light induced by the PTF light scattering layer. The TNP/PTF photoelectrode showed the highest Jsc (16.96 ± 0.79 mA cm−2), η (5.9 ± 0.13%), and open circuit voltage (Voc, 0.66 ± 0.02 V).

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Natural Pigments from Plants Used as Sensitizers for TiO2Based Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Journal of Energy ◽

10.1155/2013/654953 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Reena Kushwaha ◽

Pankaj Srivastava ◽

Lal Bahadur

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Short Circuit ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Visible Region ◽

Solar Spectrum ◽

Tectona Grandis ◽

Open Circuit ◽

Natural Pigments ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

Four natural pigments, extracted from the leaves of teak (Tectona grandis), tamarind (Tamarindus indica), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), and the flower of crimson bottle brush (Callistemon citrinus), were used as sensitizers for TiO2based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The dyes have shown absorption in broad range of the visible region (400–700 nm) of the solar spectrum and appreciable adsorption onto the semiconductor (TiO2) surface. The DSSCs made using the extracted dyes have shown that the open circuit voltages (Voc) varied from 0.430 to 0.610 V and the short circuit photocurrent densities (Jsc) ranged from 0.11 to 0.29 mA cm−2. The incident photon-to-current conversion efficiencies (IPCE) varied from 12–37%. Among the four dyes studied, the extract obtained from teak has shown the best photosensitization effects in terms of the cell output.

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Enhanced Efficiency of Au-Deposited BiFeO3 Nanoparticles Based Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.856.184 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 856 ◽

pp. 184-187 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Narendra Kumar Verma ◽

Imanpreet Kaur ◽

Kamaldeep Kaur ◽

Gurmeet Singh Lotey

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Short Circuit ◽

Photovoltaic Performance ◽

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽

Visible Region ◽

High Energy ◽

Open Circuit ◽

Rhombohedral Structure ◽

Dye Sensitized ◽

Sensitized Solar Cells

BiFeO3 nanoparticles have been synthesized by sol-gel method. The deposition of Au on the surface of BiFeO3 has been done using photo-deposition method. X-ray diffraction confirms that the synthesized nanoparticles are possessing rhombohedral structure with R3c space group. The average particles size of the synthesized nanoparticles found to be 26 nm. Synthesized nanoparticles possess band gap 2.28 eV, in the visible region. The dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been fabricated using synthesized nanoparticles. The effect of Au-deposition on photovoltaic performance of DSSCs has been investigated. The different performance parameters of fabricated DSSCs viz. open-circuit voltage (VOC), short circuit current-density (JSC) and fill factor (FF) found to be 0.75 V, 6.5 mA/cm2, 0.62, respectively. The high energy-conversion efficiency 2.99%, has been achieved in Au-deposited BiFeO3 based DSSCs.

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