A Di-Carbazole-Based Dye as a Potential Sensitizer for Greenhouse-Integrated Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

For the first time in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) technology, a di-carbazole-based dye was synthesized and evaluated for its usage as a potential sensitizer for the development of wavelength selective semi-transparent DSSCs for greenhouses-oriented applications. The dye was designed to demonstrate a blue light absorption, allowing a high transmittance in the red region of the visible light, even after its adsorption on the anode semiconductor, which is the most important one for the photosynthetic action of the plants. The application of the new dye to DSSCs was examined using either a high-performance iodide-based electrolyte or a highly transparent iodine-free electrolyte to determine a good balance between electric power generation and device transparency. The spectral engineered DSSCs demonstrated quite promising characteristics, providing a high external quantum efficiency (higher than 70%) in the whole blue–green region of the visible light, while allowing high transparency (up to 55%) in the red region, where the second peak in the absorbance spectrum of chlorophyll is located. Finally, the derived results were discussed under the consideration of important metrics for this niche application, including the transparency of the solar cells in the region of photosynthetic active radiation and the attained crop growth factor. The present work constitutes one of the few comprehensive studies carried out up to now in the direction of the development of 3rd generation “agrivoltaics” for their possible integration as cladding materials in energy-autonomous greenhouses.

Theoretical designing of 9,9'-dicarbazole-based dye via end-group modification for indoor DSSC applications

“…In order to calculate the absorption maximum (λ max ) values, TD-DFT calculations were performed using the aforementioned functionals. In order to select the most appropriate functional, we compared the theoretically computed λ max value of R with the experimentally determined λ max value [35]. The functional that exhibited the closest alignment with the experimentally obtained value, was MPW1PW91, which served as the basis for computational calculations involving the designed compounds and reference molecule.…”

“…The comprehensive characterization of this organic dye encompassed its morphological, optical, and electronic properties. Moreover, its applicability in DSSCs was thoroughly assessed, utilizing both a greatly translucent and iodidebased electrolyte [35]. In our study, the PT1-PT5 series, comprising five new compounds, has been developed by altering the end-capped moieties of this di-carbazole-based dye (Cz-2) serving as the reference molecule (R), as can be seen in figure 1.…”

Computational, Investigational Explorations on Structural, Electro-Optic Behavior of Pelargonidin Organic Colorant for TiO2 Based DSSCs

“…Energy researchers are exploring abundantly available natural resources in their quest for global clean alternate energy sources with a low carbon footprint. Through the photoelectric effect, solar energy, a prominent renewable energy source, can be harnessed via various solar cells [1][2][3][4]. Among these, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have a lower cost per watt production cost due to their ease of fabrication, relatively simple method and equipment compatible with mass production, and variety of applications such as wearable devices, indoor photovoltaic windows, and so on [5].…”

Effect of Molybdenum Disulfide on the Performance of Polyaniline Based Counter Electrode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Applications

“…The oxidized dye takes an electron from the electrolyte which has been further reduced by an incoming outer electron with the help of a catalyst. This process of regeneration keeps occurring until the sunlight is present [3][4][5].…”