Dye-sensitized solar cells: Atomic scale investigation of interface structure and dynamics

Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC), built upon organic/inorganic hybrid materials, are possibly the most promising third generation solar cells, which attract wide attentions due to their low-cost, flexibility and environment-friendly properties. We review recent progresses in DSC research, focusing on atomic-scale investigations of the interface electronic structures and dynamical processes, including dye adsorption structure onto TiO 2 , ultrafast electron injection, hot-electron injection, multiple-exciton generation and electron-hole recombination. We briefly summarize advanced experimental techniques and theoretical approaches investigating these interface electronic properties and dynamics, and then introduce progressive achievements in the photovoltaic device optimization based on insights obtained from atomic scale investigations. Finally, some challenges and opportunities for further improvement of dye solar cells are presented.

Charge recombination mechanism to explain the negative capacitance in dye-sensitized solar cells

“…Therefore, their optical and electrical characteristics have significant research value. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] In the measurements of their properties, the impedance spectroscopy (IS) technique is one of the most effective methods and has been successfully widely applied in all kinds of solar cells, such as dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC), quantum dot-sensitized solar cells, extremely thin absorber solar cells, and organic solar cells. [1,3,4] Among alternative-current (AC) experimental features, an abnormally negative capacitance (NC) has been observed in many DSCs, which caused researchers' great interest because of lack of a proper interpretation.…”

Analysis of meniscus beneath metastable droplets and wetting transition on micro/nano textured surfaces

“…Line tension [51] is the free energy on unit TPCL. And the free energy of a droplet induced by line tension is the product of line tension and the total length of the TPCL at the bottom of the droplet.…”

Dye-sensitized solar cell module realized photovoltaic and photothermal highly efficient conversion via three-dimensional printing technology

“…[1] Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) have been considered as a promising candidate for large-area practical application due to their low cost, easy fabrication, and considerable efficiency. [2,3] Yet, scaling up the DSCs (larger than 1 cm 2 ) will result in the growth of ohmic losses of the transparent conductive oxide (TCO), since the sheet-resistance (R s > 7 Ω•sq −1 ) of TCO is not negligible in this case. Decline of the fill factor (FF) of the DSCs caused by the increase of ohmic losses needs to be taken into account and mitigated as well.…”