Controlling interfacial recombination in aqueous dye-sensitized solar cells by octadecyltrichlorosilane surface treatment.

A general and convenient strategy is proposed for enhancing photovoltaic performance of aqueous dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) through the surface modification of titania using an organic alkyl silane. Introduction of octadecyltrichlorosilane on the surface of dyed titania photoanode as an organic barrier layer leads to the efficient suppression of electron recombination with oxidized cobalt species by restricting access of the cobalt redox couple to the titania surface. The champion ODTS-treated aqueous DSCs (0.25 mM ODTS in hexane for 5 min) exhibit a V(oc) of 821±4 mV and J(sc) of 10.17±0.21 mA cm(-2), yielding a record PCE of 5.64±0.10%. This surface treatment thus serves as a promising post-dye strategy for improving the photovoltaic performance of other aqueous DSCs.

Highly efficient p-type dye-sensitized solar cells based on tris(1,2-diaminoethane)cobalt(II)/(III) electrolytes.

Co-produced: using [Co(en)(3)](2+/3+) based-electrolytes in p-type dye-sensitized solar cells (p-DSCs) gives record energy conversion efficiencies of 1.3 % and open-circuit voltages up to 709 mV under simulated sun light. The increase in photovoltage is due to the more negative redox potential of [Co(en)(3)](2+/3+) compared to established mediators.

Antimony Doping in Solution-processed Cu2 ZnSn(S,Se)4 Solar Cells.

Kesterite Cu2 ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) is obtained using a facile precursor-solution method followed by selenization. Power-conversion efficiency of 6.0 % is achieved and further improved to 8.2 % after doping the absorber with 0.5 mol % Sb. XRD and Raman spectroscopy show similar characteristics for the undoped and doped CZTSSe. Increasing the Sb concentration increases the grain size and lowers the series resistance. However, further Sb doping beyond 0.5 mol % degrades device performance due to lower open-circuit voltage (and therefore lower fill factor). The effect of Sb doping and the doping concentration are investigated by power-dependent and temperature-dependent photoluminescence studies, revealing that trap density is significant reduced with 0.5 mol % Sb doping. Additional doping beyond 0.5 mol % creates more defects that quench the photoexcited carriers and decrease the open-circuit voltage.

Catalytic Activity and Impedance Behavior of Screen-Printed Nickel Oxide as Efficient Water Oxidation Catalysts.

We report that films screen printed from nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles and microballs are efficient electrocatalysts for water oxidation under near-neutral and alkaline conditions. Investigations of the composition and structure of the screen-printed films by X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy confirmed that the material was present as the cubic NiO phase. Comparison of the catalytic activity of the microball films to that of films fabricated by using NiO nanoparticles, under similar experimental conditions, revealed that the microball films outperform nanoparticle films of similar thickness owing to a more porous structure and higher surface area. A thinner, less-resistive NiO nanoparticle film, however, was found to have higher activity per Ni atom. Anodization in borate buffer significantly improved the activity of all three films. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that during anodization, a mixed nickel oxyhydroxide phase formed on the surface of all films, which could account for the improved activity. Impedance spectroscopy revealed that surface traps contribute significantly to the resistance of the NiO films. On anodization, the trap state resistance of all films was reduced, which led to significant improvements in activity. In 1.00 m NaOH, both the microball and nanoparticle films exhibit high long-term stability and produce a stable current density of approximately 30 mA cm(-2) at 600 mV overpotential.

Titania nanobundle networks as dye-sensitized solar cell photoanodes.

Quasi-one-dimensional (1D) titania nanobundles were synthesized via a hydrothermal method and used to print random network nanostructured films. These films are shown to be ideally suited for application as photoanodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) as they have a higher porosity compared to the traditional 1D nanostructured TiO2 materials. Devices constructed using the N719 dye and iodide/triiodide as the redox mediator in the electrolyte yielded energy conversion efficiencies (η = 6.1 ± 0.2%), which were marginally lower than for devices made with the commonly used P25 titania films (η = 6.3 ± 0.1%) under one sun simulated solar radiation. Application of an electrolyte based on the [Co(bpy)3](2+/3+) redox couple and the MK2 organic sensitizer resulted in higher efficiencies (η = 7.70 ± 0.1%) than for the P25 devices (η = 6.3 ± 0.3%). Each performance parameter (short circuit current density, open circuit voltage and fill factor) was higher for the TiO2 nanobundle devices than those for the P25-based devices. The results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), intensity-modulated photovoltage spectroscopy (IMVS), and dye-loading measurements indicated that the better performance of TiO2 nanobundle devices with cobalt electrolytes correlates with higher porosity, relatively fast electron transport and more efficient suppression of electron recombination. A faster rate of diffusion of the cobalt complexes through the highly porous TiO2 nanobundle network is proposed to contribute to the enhanced device efficiency.

Enhanced open-circuit voltage of p-type DSC with highly crystalline NiO nanoparticles.

Highly crystalline NiO nanoparticles synthesized through a facile thermolysis route were used as photocathode materials in p-type dye-sensitized solar cells resulting in open-circuit voltages exceeding 300 mV with an iodide/triiodide mediator.