Stepwise optimizing photovoltaic performance of dye‐sensitized cells made under 50‐lux dim light

Abstract

Dye‐sensitized cells (DSCs) are promising photovoltaic technology that converts photon energy to electric energy efficiently in direct sunlight and ambient indoor light. While most papers address this triumph by utilizing novel materials such as new sensitizers, new redox couples, or new architecture, herein, we report a different approach, which progressively improves a dim light‐illuminated DSC's performance based on commercially mature materials. Specifically, the thickness of the mesoscopic TiO2 film, the preferred facet of TiO2 nanoparticles, the quality of compact layer, and iodine/iodide concentration are stepwisely optimized based on the consideration of dim light condition. Finally, the conversion efficiency of a DSC under extreme dim of 50‐lux fluorescent light is improved from 2.43% to 14.86%, accordingly.

An Efficient Copper-Based Redox Shuttle Bearing a Hexadentate Polypyridyl Ligand for DSCs under Low-Light Conditions

“…The need to generate carbon neutral energy has led to the development of new technologies that utilize renewable sources such as wind and solar energy. , Photovoltaic cells are capable of harnessing sunlight for solar-to-electrical energy conversion. − Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) serve as an attractive photovoltaic technology, which are inexpensive and have high photon-to-current conversion efficiencies under all lighting conditions. − A DSC is composed of a chromophore anchored to a semiconducting mesoporous metal oxide surface, which upon photoexcitation, injects an electron into the conduction band of the semiconductor. The oxidized chromophore (or dye) is then reduced back to its initial state by a redox shuttle (RS) in the solution, a process known as regeneration.…”