Enhancing efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells by combining use of TiO2 nanotubes and nanoparticles

Li, X.D.; Zhang, D.W.; Chen, S.; Wang, Z.A.; Sun, Zhenrong; Yin, X.J.; Huang, Sumei

doi:10.1016/j.matchemphys.2010.06.015

Cited by 24 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Therefore, they can be expected to be applied in solar cell technologies and to allow an increase in the efficiency of the photo-conversion process in the infrared-region, a range that is notoriously poor for the current commercial solar cells. We initially examined the feasibility of using the prepared UC nanorods in solar cells and fabricated dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) by modifying the device synthesis procedures reported in our previous work 31,32 and by coating NaYF 4 :Yb 3þ /Er 3þ /Gd 3þ nanorods on N719 dye-sensitized TiO 2 films. Under the illumination of the 980 nm laser, the DSSC without using UC nanorods showed a short-circuit current (I SC ) of 0.317 mA and an opencircuit voltage (V OC ) of 0.672 V, whereas the cell coated with UC nanorods displayed a I SC of 0.368 mA and a V OC of 0.695 V. Our preliminary work showed that the performance of the DSSC was obviously improved with UC nanorods because the NIR light was converted in situ to dye-absorbable visible light.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plasmon-enhanced upconversion fluorescence in NaYF4:Yb/Er/Gd nanorods coated with Au nanoparticles or nanoshells

Chen

et al. 2012

Journal of Applied Physics

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We investigate plasmon-enhanced upconversion (UC) fluorescence in Yb 3þ-Er 3þ-Gd þ3 codoped sodium yttrium fluoride (NaYF 4 :Yb/Er/Gd) nanorods using gold nanoparticles or nanoshells. A simple method was proposed for the preparation of core/shell NaYF 4 /Au structures, with dispersed Au nanoparticles or uniform Au coating on the surface of the UC nanorod. Pure hexagonal-phase NaYF 4 :Yb/Er/Gd nanorods were synthesized via a liquid-solid reaction in oleic acid and ethanol solvent. A one-step approach was introduced to modify the hydrophobic surfaces of the as-deposited NaYF 4 :Yb/Er/Gd nanorods. After this surface modification, Au nanoparticles or nanoshells were successfully attached on the surfaces of NaYF 4 :Yb/Er/Gd nanorods. The as-deposited UC nanorods showed a strong UC emission in green and red bands under 980 nm laser excitation. The attachment of Au nanoparticles onto NaYF 4 :Yb/Er/Gd nanorods resulted in a more than threefold increase in UC emissions, whereas the formation of continuous and compact Au shells around the nanorods suppressed the emissions. The related interaction mechanisms of the UC emission of NaYF 4 :Yb/Er/ Gd nanorods with plasmon modes in Au nanostructures are analyzed and discussed.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plasmon-enhanced upconversion fluorescence in NaYF4:Yb/Er/Gd nanorods coated with Au nanoparticles or nanoshells

Chen

et al. 2012

Journal of Applied Physics

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“…One approach to achieving this goal is to use colloidal nanocrystals to deposit the inorganic light-absorber layers. One of the main limitations of device efficiency with absorber layers composed of nanocrystals is the large number of interfaces or grain boundaries in the film [20][21][22][23]. High-temperature treatment is usually required to obtain nanocrystal absorber layers with device quality.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Large-scale growth of Cu₂ZnSnSe₄and Cu₂ZnSnSe₄/Cu₂ZnSnS₄core/shell nanowires

Li¹,

Shi²,

Liu³

et al. 2011

Nanotechnology

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We present a fast and simple protocol for large-scale preparation of quaternary Cu(2)ZnSnSe(4) (CZTSe), as well as CZTSe/Cu(2)ZnSnS(4) (CZTS) core/shell nanowires using CuSe nanowire bundles as self-sacrificial templates. CuSe nanowire bundles were synthesized by reacting Cu(2 - x)Se nanowire bundles with sodium citrate solution. CZTSe nanowires were prepared by reacting CuSe nanowire bundles with Zn(CH(3)COO)(2) and SnCl(2) in triethylene glycol. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and selected area electron diffraction studies show that stannite CZTSe is formed. The formed CZTSe nanowire bundles have diameters of 200-400 nm and lengths of up to hundreds of micrometers. CZTSe/CZTS nanocable bundles with similar morphologies were grown by the addition of some elemental sulfur to the reaction system for growth of CZTSe bundles. The stannite CZTSe/kesterite CZTS core/shell structure of the grown nanocables was confirmed by XRD and high-resolution transmission electron microscope investigation. The influence of S/Se molar ratio in the reaction system on the crystallographic structures and optical properties of CZTSe/CZTS nanocables was studied. The obtained CZTSe/CZTS core/shell nanocable bundles show broad and enhanced optical absorption over the visible and near-infrared region, which is promising for use in photovoltaic applications.

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“…A FTO (Nippon) glass was first treated with 40 mM TiCl 4 aqueous solution at 70℃ for 30 min, in order to make a good mechanical contact between the following printed TiO 2 layer and the conducting glass matrix. Next, a nanocrystalline TiO 2 film was fabricated on the FTO glass by screenprinting a TiO 2 (Degussa P25) paste [24]. The thickness of the nanocrystalline TiO 2 film was 12∼14 μm.…”

Section: Preparation Of Photo-and Counter-electrodesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dye-sensitized Solar Cells with Higher Jsc by Using Polyvinylidene Fluoride Membrane Counter Electrodes

Zhang

Chen

et al. 2011

Nano-Micro Lett.

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Abstract:A flexible counter electrode (CE) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) has been fabricated using a micro-porous polyvinylidene fluoride membrane as support media and sputtered Pt as the catalytic material. Non-conventional structure DSCs have been developed by the fabricated CEs. The Pt metal was sputtered onto one surface of the membrane as the catalytic material. DSCs were assembled by attaching the TiO2 electrode to the membrane surface without Pt coating. The membrane was with cylindrical pore geometry. It served not only as a substrate for the CE but also as a spacer for the DSC. The fabricated DSC with the flexible membrane CE showed higher photocurrent density than the conventional sandwich devices based on chemically deposited Pt/FTO glass, achieving a photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 4.43%. The results provides useful information in investigation and development of stable, low-cost, simple-design, flexible and lightweight DSCs.

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Enhancing efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells by combining use of TiO2 nanotubes and nanoparticles

Cited by 24 publications

References 32 publications

Plasmon-enhanced upconversion fluorescence in NaYF4:Yb/Er/Gd nanorods coated with Au nanoparticles or nanoshells

Plasmon-enhanced upconversion fluorescence in NaYF4:Yb/Er/Gd nanorods coated with Au nanoparticles or nanoshells

Large-scale growth of Cu₂ZnSnSe₄and Cu₂ZnSnSe₄/Cu₂ZnSnS₄core/shell nanowires

Dye-sensitized Solar Cells with Higher Jsc by Using Polyvinylidene Fluoride Membrane Counter Electrodes

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Enhancing efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells by combining use of TiO2 nanotubes and nanoparticles

Cited by 24 publications

References 32 publications

Plasmon-enhanced upconversion fluorescence in NaYF4:Yb/Er/Gd nanorods coated with Au nanoparticles or nanoshells

Plasmon-enhanced upconversion fluorescence in NaYF4:Yb/Er/Gd nanorods coated with Au nanoparticles or nanoshells

Large-scale growth of Cu2ZnSnSe4and Cu2ZnSnSe4/Cu2ZnSnS4core/shell nanowires

Dye-sensitized Solar Cells with Higher Jsc by Using Polyvinylidene Fluoride Membrane Counter Electrodes

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Large-scale growth of Cu₂ZnSnSe₄and Cu₂ZnSnSe₄/Cu₂ZnSnS₄core/shell nanowires