High molar extinction coefficient heteroleptic ruthenium complexes for thin film dye-sensitized solar cells

Two novel heteroleptic sensitizers, Ru((4,4-dicarboxylic acid-2,2'-bipyridine)(4,4'-bis(p-hexyloxystyryl)-2,2-bipyridine)(NCS)2 and Ru((4,4-dicarboxylic acid-2,2'-bipyridine)(4,4'-bis(p-methoxystyryl)-2,2'-bipyridine) (NCS)2, coded as K-19 and K-73, respectively, have been synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR, FTIR, UV-vis absorption, and emission spectroscopy and excited-state lifetime and spectroelectrochemical measurements. The introduction of the alkoxystyryl group extends the conjugation of the bipyridine donor ligand increasing markedly their molar extinction coefficient and solar light harvesting capacity. The dynamics of photoinduced charge separation following electronic excitation of the K-19 dye was scrutinized by time-resolved laser spectroscopy. The electron transfer from K-19 to the conduction band of TiO2 is completed within 20 fs while charge recombination has a half-life time of 800 s. The high extinction coefficients of these sensitizers enable realization of a new generation of a thin film dye sensitized solar cell (DSC) yielding high conversion efficiency at full sunlight even with viscous electrolytes based on ionic liquids or nonvolatile solvents. An unprecedented yield of over 9% was obtained under standard reporting conditions (simulated global air mass 1.5 sunlight at 1000 W/m2 intensity) when the K-73 sensitizer was combined with a nonvolatile "robust" electrolyte. The K-19 dye gave a conversion yield of 7.1% when used in conjunction with the binary ionic liquid electrolyte. These devices exhibit excellent stability under light soaking at 60 degrees C. The effect of the mesoscopic TiO2 film thickness on photovoltaic performance has been analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).     

染料敏化太阳电池中双层结构TiO2薄膜空间的电子分布与接触界面转移过程

采用电化学阻抗谱(EIS)研究了双层结构TiO2薄膜的电子积累和与电解液接触界面的电子转移过程. 通过制备纳米颗粒单层和纳米颗粒/亚微米颗粒双层2种不同微结构的TiO2薄膜电极, 对其电容分布、 局域态密度、 薄膜内部电子传输和固/液界面电子转移过程进行了研究. 分析了纳米颗粒/亚微米颗粒双层结构电极对染料敏化太阳电池(DSC)性能的影响. 结果表明, 一定数量的电子会积累在亚微米颗粒层中引起薄膜电极化学电容的增加. 在纳米颗粒层上端覆盖亚微米颗粒后降低了界面复合电阻, 但对薄膜电极的传输性能影响较小. 因此在筛选和制备DSC散射层材料时除应具有良好的光散射性能外, 还应考虑材料的化学电容和界面转移电阻等因素.     

染料敏化太阳电池阻抗特性研究

电化学阻抗谱(EIS)是染料敏化太阳电池(DSC)领域中最重要的研究手段之一。本文详细介绍了EIS在DSC研究中的理论模型、实验方法、内部电荷传输和转移过程、阻抗信息提取和动力学过程解析的最新研究进展;综述了其在光阳极、电解液体系、对电极、稳定性、新结构设计等DSC各个研究领域中的应用,特别总结了DSC内部各个组成部分的阻抗特性。最后,对这些方面存在的问题进行了评论,并对未来新材料和电池机理的深入研究进行了展望。     

Direct measurement of the internal electron quasi-Fermi level in dye sensitized solar cells using a titanium secondary electrode

The spatial dependence of the electron quasi-Fermi level (QFL) in the interior of dye sensitized nanocrystalline solar cells (DSC) under short circuit conditions can be inferred from calculations based on a diffusive electron transport model. The calculations predict that the difference in the QFL between the electrolyte and contact sides of the TiO(2) layer under short circuit conditions at 1 sun could be as much as 0.5-0.7 eV. The predicted QFL profiles depend on assumptions made about energy positions, electron mobility, and the conduction band density of states. In this work, the position of the QFL at the electrolyte side of the dye sensitized TiO(2) film in a DSC has been measured using a thin passivated titanium contact deposited on top of the nanocrystalline TiO(2) by evaporation. The method allows changes in the electron QFL at all points on the IV characteristic of the cell to be monitored under dark and photostationary conditions. In addition, cells incorporating the titanium electrode can give information about the behavior of the QFL under dynamic conditions.     

The Influence of Charge Transport and Recombination on the Performance of Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and transient voltage decay measurements are applied to compare the performance of dye sensitized solar cells (DSCs) using organic electrolytes, ionic liquids and organic‐hole conductors as hole transport materials (HTM). Nano‐crystalline titania films sensitized by the same heteroleptic ruthenium complex NaRu(4‐carboxylic acid‐4′‐carboxylate) (4,4′‐dinonyl‐2,2′‐bipyridyl)(NCS)₂ , coded Z‐907Na are employed as working electrodes. The influence of the nature of the HTM on the photovoltaic figures of merit, that is, the open circuit voltage, short circuit photocurrent and fill factor is evaluated. In order to derive the electron lifetime, as well as the electron diffusion coefficient and charge collection efficiency, EIS measurements are performed in the dark and under illumination corresponding to realistic photovoltaic operating conditions of these mesoscopic solar cells. A theoretical model is established to interpret the frequency response off the impedance under open circuit conditions, which is conceptually similar to photovoltage transient decay measurements. Important information on factors that govern the dynamics of electron transport within the nanocrystalline TiO₂ film and charge recombination across the dye sensitized heterojunction is obtained.     

基于偏氟乙烯-六氟丙烯共聚物凝胶电解质的染料敏化太阳电池光电性能研究

采用偏氟乙烯-六氟丙烯共聚物[P(VDF-HFP)]胶凝3-甲氧基丙腈基液体电解质, 成功制备了凝胶电解质并组装成准固态染料敏化太阳电池. 差示扫描量热测试结果表明凝胶电解质的溶液-凝胶转变温度(TSG)为71 ℃. 利用电化学方法分析了凝胶电解质中 电对的表观扩散系数及电导率低于液体电解质的原因, 同时结合暗态伏安法考察了电池内部TiO2多孔薄膜电极/电解质界面处的暗反应, 分析了凝胶化对电池光伏性能的影响. 进一步老化实验结果表明凝胶电池的稳定性明显优于液体电池.     

Porosity effects on electron transport in TiO2 films and its application to dye-sensitized solar cells

Porosity (P) of TiO2 film in dye-sensitized solar cells affects the light absorption coefficient and electron diffusion coefficient. A theoretical analytical expression of the intensity-modulated photocurrent spectroscopy (IMPS) response involving the light absorption coefficient and the electron diffusion coefficient as a function of the porosity has been proposed to investigate the influence of TiO2 film porosity on the characteristics of electron transport. The incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) and electron transit time depending on the porosity have been analyzed illuminating from both the electrolyte side (IE) and the substrate side (IS). The IPCE derived from the IMPS response reaches its maximum at a porosity of around 30% for IE and 41% for IS, respectively. Electron transit time increases with increasing the porosity for IE, while it declines when P < 0.41 for IS, which is attributable to the influence of the RC time constant. It has also been found that a larger RC time constant will lead to a longer transit time. The electron diffusion coefficient calculated from the transit time for IE corresponds to the results from the porosity reported in previous literature, which indicates that the dependence of the electron transit time tau(d) on the porosity is justifiable. The diffusion coefficient calculated for a larger RC time constant approaches the value from the literature when P > or = 0.41, while it is not practicable when P < 0.41 for IS.     

长链双烷基次膦酸作为共吸附剂修饰TiO_2光阳极

对TiO2/染料/电解质界面进行修饰是提高染料敏化太阳电池(DSC)性能的有效手段,其中引入共吸附剂有机小分子和染料共同吸附在TiO2表面是一种简单有效提高DSC性能的方法.本文合成了长链的双正十二烷基次膦酸(DDdPA)作为染料的共吸附剂应用于染料敏化太阳电池.通过红外光谱(FT-IR)表征DDdPA在TiO2表面的吸附;借助电化学阻抗谱(EIS)及强度调制光电流谱(IMPS)/强度调制光电压谱(IMVS)等技术表征了电子的传输与复合动力学过程.研究发现,DDdPA可以很好地与染料共同吸附在TiO2表面;与二(3,3-二甲基丁基)次膦酸(DINHOP)相比,DDdPA的引入可以更好地抑制TiO2/染料/电解质界面处的电子复合;在优化浓度配比下,DDdPA的引入有效提高了器件的电子寿命,使TiO2导带边负移约30 mV,最终使器件的开路电压提高了47 mV,光电转换效率提升约10%.     

染料敏化太阳电池中多相接触界面电子转移机制和动力学过程

采用电化学阻抗谱(EIS)研究了染料敏化太阳电池(DSC)中由导电玻璃、 纳米多孔TiO₂薄膜和电解质构成的多相复杂接触界面的电子转移机制和动力学过程. 通过沉积聚合物薄膜简化多相接触界面结构, 根据接触界面结构和电子转移途径的变化, 分析了不同偏压下多相接触界面电子转移机制, 构建与之对应的等效电路, 获得了DSC内部各个主要接触界面的电子转移动力学常数. 结果表明, 通过外加偏压的控制和多相接触界面结构的简化, 可以区别分析多相复杂接触界面电子转移机制与动力学过程.     

Quantification of the effect of 4-tert-butylpyridine addition to I-/I3- redox electrolytes in dye-sensitized nanostructured TiO2 solar cells

Addition of 4-tert-butylpyridine (4TBP) to redox electrolytes used in dye-sensitized TiO2 solar cells has a large effect on their performance. In an electrolyte containing 0.7 M LiI and 0.05 M I2 in 3-methoxypropionitrile, addition of 0.5 M 4TBP gave an increase of the open-circuit potential of 260 mV. Using charge extraction and electron lifetime measurements, this increases could be attributed to a shift of the TiO2 band edge toward negative potentials (responsible for 60% of the voltage increase) and to an increase of the electron lifetime (40%). At a lower 4TBP concentration the shift of the band edge was similar, but the effect on the electron lifetime was less pronounced. The working mechanism of 4TBP can be summarized as follows: (1) 4TBP affects the surface charge of TiO2 by decreasing the amount of adsorbed protons and/or Li+ ions. (2) It decreases the recombination of electrons in TiO2 with triiodide in the electrolyte by preventing triiodide access to the TiO2 surface and/or by complexation with iodine in the electrolyte.     

Transient absorption studies and numerical modeling of iodine photoreduction by nanocrystalline TiO2 films

We have used transient absorption spectroscopy to study the reaction between photogenerated electrons in a dye-free nanocrystalline titanium dioxide film and an iodine/iodide redox couple. Recombination kinetics was measured by recording the transient optical signal following band gap excitation by a UV laser pulse. In the presence of a methanol hole scavenger in the electrolyte, a long-lived (0.1-1 s) red/infrared absorbance is observed and assigned to photogenerated electrons forming Ti(3+) species. In the presence of iodine and excess iodide in the electrolyte, the signal decays on a millisecond-microsecond time scale, assigned to reduction of the redox couple by photogenerated electrons in the TiO(2). The electron lifetime decreases inversely with increasing iodine concentration, indicating that the back reaction is first order in [I(2)]. No evidence for I(2)(-) is observed, indicating that the reaction mechanism does not involve the formation of I(2)(-) as an intermediate. The shape of the kinetics evolves from monoexponential at low [I(2)] to stretched-exponential as [I(2)] increases. A Monte Carlo continuous-time random walk model is implemented to simulate the kinetics and its [I(2)] dependence and used to address the order of the recombination reaction with respect to electron density, n. The model incorporates the diffusion of oxidized species from the electrolyte toward the TiO(2) surface as well as electron trapping and transport in the TiO(2). In the limit of low [I(2)], the monoexponential kinetics is explained by the recombination reaction being rate limited by the diffusion of the oxidized species in the electrolyte. The stretched-exponential behavior at high [I(2)] can be explained by the reaction being rate limited by the transport of electrons through a distribution of trap states toward reactive sites at the TiO(2)-electrolyte interface, similar to the mechanism proposed previously for the kinetics of electron-dye cation recombination. Such trap-limited recombination can also explain the superlinear dependence of electron recombination rate on electron density, which has been reported elsewhere, without the need for a reaction mechanism that is second order in n. In contrast, a second-order reaction mechanism in a trap-free medium cannot explain the observed kinetics, although a second-order mechanism incorporating electron trapping cannot be conclusively ruled out by the data. We propose that the most likely reaction scheme, that is first order in both [I(2)] and n, is the dissociative reduction of I(2) onto the metal oxide surface, followed by a second electron reduction of the resulting adsorbed iodine radical, and that empirical second-order behavior of the electron lifetime is most likely explained by electron trapping rather than by a second-order recombination mechanism.     

Determination of the density and energetic distribution of electron traps in dye-sensitized nanocrystalline solar cells

Electron transport and recombination in dye-sensitized nanocrystalline solar cells (DSCs) are strongly influenced by the presence of trapping states in the titanium dioxide particles, and collection of photoinjected electrons at the contact can require times ranging from milliseconds to seconds, depending on the illumination intensity. A direct method of determining the density and energetic distribution of the trapping states responsible for slowing electron transport has been developed. It involves extraction of trapped electrons by switching the cell from an open circuit to a short circuit after a period of illumination. An advantage of this charge extraction method is that it is less sensitive than other methods to shunting of the DSC by electron transfer at the conducting glass substrate. Results derived from charge extraction measurements on DSCs (with and without compact TiO(2) blocking layers) are compared with those obtained by analysis of the open circuit photovoltage decay.     

Electron transport in coumarin-dye-sensitized nanocrystalline TiO2 electrodes

We investigated electron transport kinetics in terms of electron diffusion coefficient (D) and electron lifetime (tau) in coumarin-dye-sensitized nanocrystalline TiO2 electrodes by intensity-modulated photocurrent spectroscopy (IMPS) and intensity-modulated photovoltage spectroscopy (IMVS). We found that the values of tau for coumarin-dye-sensitized TiO2 electrodes were much shorter than that for an electrode coated with a Ru complex (N719 dye), suggesting that the back-electron-transfer process corresponding to recombination between conduction-band electrons in the TiO2 and I3- ions in the electrolyte occurs more easily in coumarin-dye-sensitized solar cells. In addition, the values of tau depended on the kind of coumarin dye, each of which has a different number of thiophene moieties, suggesting that the molecular structure of the adsorbed dyes also affects the kinetics of electron transport in the TiO2 electrodes.     

Enhance the optical absorptivity of nanocrystalline TiO2 film with high molar extinction coefficient ruthenium sensitizers for high performance dye-sensitized solar cells

We report two new heteroleptic polypyridyl ruthenium complexes, coded C101 and C102, with high molar extinction coefficients by extending the pi-conjugation of spectator ligands, with a motivation to enhance the optical absorptivity of mesoporous titania film and charge collection yield in a dye-sensitized solar cell. On the basis of this C101 sensitizer, several DSC benchmarks measured under the air mass 1.5 global sunlight have been reached. Along with an acetonitrile-based electrolyte, the C101 sensitizer has already achieved a strikingly high efficiency of 11.0-11.3%, even under a preliminary testing. More importantly, based on a low volatility 3-methoxypropionitrile electrolyte and a solvent-free ionic liquid electrolyte, cells have corresponding >9.0% and approximately 7.4% efficiencies retained over 95% of their initial performances after 1000 h full sunlight soaking at 60 degrees C. With the aid of electrical impedance measurements, we further disclose that, compared to the cell with an acetonitrile-based electrolyte, a dye-sensitized solar cell with an ionic liquid electrolyte shows a feature of much shorter effective electron diffusion lengths due to the lower electron diffusion coefficients and shorter electron lifetimes in the mesoporous titania film, explaining the photocurrent difference between these two type devices. This highlights the next necessary efforts to further improve the efficiency of cells with ionic liquid electrolytes, facilitating the large-scale production and application of flexible thin film mesoscopic solar cells.     

Dye-sensitized solar cells based on multiwalled carbon nanotube-titania/titania bilayer structure photoelectrode

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated using multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-TiO(2) nanocomposite as a light scattering layer. Morphology of the MWCNT-TiO(2) film was investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). FESEM and TEM images demonstrate that MWCNTs and TiO(2) nanoparticles can be dispersed with chitosan. Internal resistance in the DSSC was characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). EIS results reveal a decrease in the charge resistance of electrolyte/dye/MWCNT-TiO(2)/TiO(2) interface with increasing MWCNT content up to 3 wt% which leads to an improvement in the photovoltaic performance. Compare with a nanocrystalline TiO(2) single-layer cell, the DSSC based on the MWCNT (3 wt%)-TiO(2)/TiO(2) bilayer structure photoelectrode shows ~100% increase in solar-to-electric energy conversion efficiency, which is attributed to the inclusion of MWCNTs in TiO(2) matrix.     

电泳法制备TiO_2纳米管/纳米颗粒复合薄膜的电化学阻抗谱分析(英文)

由于一维(1D)氧化钛纳米结构具有提高染料敏化太阳能电池(DSCs)中的电子传输性能从而进一步提高电池性能的特性,该领域吸引了越来越多研究者的关注.但是一维氧化钛纳米结构如何影响电子传输性能却少有报道.本研究利用电化学阻抗谱(EIS)分析来探索氧化钛纳米颗粒和纳米管复合薄膜的电子传输特性.使用两种不同尺寸(25和100nm)的纳米颗粒和纳米管作为原料,采用电泳沉积方法制备了氧化钛复合薄膜并研究了原料的组成对染料敏化电池的影响以获得最佳的组成.研究结果表明,在大颗粒的质量分数低于20%时,大颗粒的掺入有利于改善氧化钛薄膜的电子传递与电池性能.与完全由颗粒组成的薄膜相比,纳米管的加入有利于电子在氧化钛薄膜里的传输.纳米管、100nm颗粒及25nm颗粒的最佳质量比例为20:16:64.     

Deposition of a thin film of TiOx from a titanium metal target as novel blocking layers at conducting glass/TiO2 interfaces in ionic liquid mesoscopic TiO2 dye-sensitized solar cells

In dye-sensitized TiO2 solar cells, charge recombination processes at interfaces between fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO), TiO2, dye, and electrolyte play an important role in limiting the photon-to-electron conversion efficiency. From this point of view, a high work function material such as titanium deposited by sputtering on FTO has been investigated as an effective blocking layer for preventing electron leakage from FTO without influencing electron injection. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis indicates that different species of Ti (Ti4+, Ti3+, Ti2+, and a small amount of Ti0) exist on FTO. Electrochemical and photoelectrochemical measurements reveal that thin films of titanium species, expressed as TiOx, work as a compact blocking layer between FTO and TiO2 nanocrystaline film, improving Voc and the fill factor, finally giving a better conversion efficiency for dye-sensitized TiO2 solar cells with ionic liquid electrolytes.     

Spatially resolved sources of dark current from TiO2 nanoparticle electrodes

The properties of TiO(2) and polyphenyl oxide (PPO) blocking layers were compared using a highly positive redox shuttle in dye-sensitized solar cells. The dark current versus applied potential curve was found to be composed of two separate current features. Cyclic voltammetric and impedance measurements were performed to identify the source of the two features. The first feature results from electron transfer from the TiO(2) blocking layer and the first layer of the TiO(2) nanoparticle film contacting the substrate. The second onset of dark current results from the transport resistance in the nanoparticle film decreasing, thus allowing electron transfer to occur throughout the film. It is further demonstrated that PPO prevents back electron transfer from the conductive substrate to the redox shuttle across the entire potential range studied; however, the TiO(2) blocking layer is active and participates in electron transfer at rates similar to those of the TiO(2) nanoparticle film.     

高相转变温度的离子凝胶电解质基准固态染料敏化太阳电池

染料敏化太阳电池(DSC)以其低价、高效等优势, 成为学术界和工业界的研究热点. 传统液态电解质由于易挥发、易泄漏等问题, 导致基于液态电解质的电池难以保持长期稳定, 影响光伏技术的应用. 本文合成了N,N'-1,5-戊二基双月桂酰胺, 将其作为有机小分子胶凝剂(LMOG)胶凝离子液体电解质(ILE)制备了离子凝胶电解质(IGE)并组装成准固态电池(QS-DSCs). 差示扫描量热测试显示该凝胶电解质的相转变温度(T_gel)为104.7℃, 具有良好的本征热稳定性.利用循环伏安法、电化学阻抗谱、调制光电压/光电流谱分别研究了液态电池和准固态电池内部电子传输和复合动力学过程. 结果表明, 凝胶电解质的三维网络结构加速了TiO₂光阳极/电解质界面电子与电解质中I₃^-的复合过程, 使电子寿命降低, 导致准固态电池的光电转换效率略低于液态电池. 在AM1.5 (100 mW·cm^-2)及50℃条件下的加速老化测试结果显示, 持续老化1000 h后其光电转换效率(η)无衰减,而液态电池的光电转换效率衰减为初始值的86%, 表明准固态电池具有良好的光热稳定性.