High dispersion Pt nanoparticles using mesoporous carbon support for enhancing conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells

<正>Mesoporous carbon(MC) with surface area of 380 m~2/g was prepared and employed as the carbon support of Pt catalyst for counter electrode of dye-sensitized solar cells.Pt/MC samples containing 1 wt%Pt were prepared by reducing chloroplatinic acid on MC using wet impregnation.It was found that Pt nanoparticles were uniform in size and highly dispersed on MC supports.The average size of Pt nanoparticles is about 3.4 nm.Pt/MC electrodes were fabricated by coating Pt/MC samples on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass.The overall conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells with Pt/MC counter electrode is 6.62%,which is higher than that of the cells with conventional Pt counter electrode in the same conditions.     

Unique ZnS nanobuns decorated with reduced graphene oxide as an efficient and low-cost counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

Unique ZnS nanobuns decorated with reduced graphene oxide （ROO） was synthesized and found to exhibit a synergetic effect as a highly efficient and low-cost counter electrode （CE） in dye-sensitized solar cells （DSCs）. Using this ZnS-ROO CE, a power conversion efficiency （PCE） of 7.03% was achieved. This value was 53% and 41 % higher than those of pure ZnS and ROO CEs, respectively. The ZnS-ROO nanocomposite is indeed an efficient and cost-effective Pt-like alternative for iodine reduction reaction.     

A facile and convenient method for synthesis of alkyl thiocyanates under homogeneous phase transfer catalyst conditions

A simple and environmentally friendly method is described for the efficient conversion of alkyl halide to alkyl thiocyanate using tetrabutylammonium bromide （TBAB） as a phase transfer catalyst. The reactions occur in water and furnish the corresponding alkyl thiocyanate in high yields. No evidence for the formation of isothiocyanates as by-product of the reaction was observed and the products were obtained in pure form without further purification.     

High efficiency and stable solid-state fiber dye-sensitized solar cells obtained using TiO2 photoanodes enhanced with metal organic frameworks

Solid-state fiber dye-sensitized solar cells(SS-FDSSCs) have been the subject of intensive attention and development in recent years. Although this field is only in its infancy, metal–organic frameworks(MOFs) are one such material that has been utilized to further improve the power conversion efficiency of solar cells. In this study, MOF-integrated DSSCs were shown to have potential in the development of solar cell devices with efficiency comparable to or better than that of conventional solar c...     

Novel organic dye sensitizers containing fluorenyl and biphenyl moieties for solar cells

Three novel triarylamine dyes(AFL1-AFL3) containing fluorenyl and the biphenyl moieties have been designed and synthesized for application in dye-sensitized solar cells.The light-harvesting capabilities and photovoltaic performance of these dyes were investigated systematically through comparison of different π-bridges.The dye with a furan linker exhibited a higher open-circuit voltage(V_(OC)) and monochromatic incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency(IPCE) compared to thiophene and benzene linker.Thus,AFL3 containing a furan linker exhibited the maximum overall conversion efficiency of 5.81%(V_(OC) = 760 mV,J_(SC) = 11.36 mA cm~2 and ff=0.68) under standard global AM 1.5 G solar condition.     

Ethynyl-linked perylene bisimide based electron acceptors for non-fullerene organic solar cells

Star-shaped electron acceptors based on perylene bisimide as end groups and spiro-aromatic core linked with ethynyl units were developed for nonfullerene solar cells. Ethynyl linkers are able to improve the planarity of conjugated backbone, resulting in enhanced electron mobility and power conversion efficiency in solar cells.     

Progress of all-perovskite tandem solar cells: the role of narrow-bandgap absorbers

Perovskite solar cells(PSCs)have gained increasing attention due to their excellent photovoltaic performance,achieving certified power conversion efficiency(PCE)of 25.2%.To further enhance PCE and break the Shockley-Queisser limit of the single junction PSCs,great efforts have been made in tandem solar cells based on perovskite,including perovskite/Si,and perovskite/perovskite(all-perovskite).Among them,all-perovskite tandem solar cells exhibit unique advantages of both lowcost fabrication and high efficiency.They have advanced rapidly in these years,due to the realization of stable and efficient narrow-bandgap perovskites.In this work,we review the development of monolithic all-perovskite tandem solar cells and highlight the critical role of narrow-bandgap perovskites in recent progress of all-perovskite solar cells.We also propose our perspective of future directions on this subject.     

Photoelectrochemical properties of MWCNT-TiO2 hybrid materials as a counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

The MWCNT-Ti02 hybrid materials were prepared by a simply mixing method and used as a counter electrode （CE） for dye-sensitized solar cells. Compared with the platinum CE, MWCNT-TiO2 CE has the similar redox voltage and current response in the cyclic voltammetry. The electrochemical catalytic activity was characterized by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Tafel curve, including the equivalent circuit, the exchange current density, the limiting diffusion current density, and the diffusion coefficient of triiodide/iodide redox species. The results indicate that the reduction process from triiodide to iodide is determined by the kinetic-controlled and diffusion-limited processes. The device performance is optimal based on the MWCNT-TiO2 （mass ratio of 2：1） CE, such as the open-circuit voltage of 0.72 V, the short-circuit photocurrent density of 15.71 mA/cm2, the fill factor of 0.68, and the photon-to-electron conversion efficiency of 7.69%.     

Mixed-phase Mesoporous TiO2 Film for High Efficiency Perovskite Solar Cells

Mesoporous scaffold structures have played great roles in halide perovskite solar cells(PSCs),due to the excellent photovoltaic performance and commercial perspective of mesoporous PSCs.Here,we reported a mixed-phase TiO2 mesoporous film as an efficient electron transport layer(ETL)for mesoporous perovskite solar cells.Due to the improved crystal phase,fihn thickness and nanopartMe size of TiO2 layer,which were controlled by varying the one-step hydrothermal reaction time and annealing time,the PSCs exhibited an outstanding short circuit photocurrent density of 25.27 mA/cm^2,and a maximum power conversion efficiency(PCE)of 19.87%.It is found that the ultra-high Jsc attributes to the excellent film quality,light capturing and excellent electron transport ability of mixed-phase TiO2 mesoporous film.The results indicate that mix-phase mesoporous metal oxide fihns could be a promising candidate for producing effective ETLs and high efficiency PSCs.     

Highly-ordered dye-sensitized TiO2 nanotube arrays film used for improving photoelectrochemical electrodes

Thin titanium oxide nanotube arrays (TNAs) films were synthesized by anodization of titanium foil in an aqueous dimethyl sulfoxide solution using a platinum foil counter electrode.TNAs up to 6.8 μm in length,120 nm in inner pore diameter,and 20 nm in wall thickness were obtained by 40 V potentials anodization for 24 h.Their microstructures and surface morphologies were characterized by XRD,TEM,SAED and UV-vis spectroscopy.The photoelectrochemical properties of as-prepared unsensitized and dye-sensitized TNAs electrodes were examined under simulated solar light (AM 1.5,100 mW/cm2) illumination.The results showed that the photocurrent of the dye-sensitized TNAs electrodes reached 6.9 mA/cm2,which was 6 times more than that of the dye-sensitized TiO2 nanoparticles (TNPs) electrodes.It implied that the electron transport process and the charge recombination suppression within TNAs electrodes were much more favorable in comparison with that in the TNPs electrodes.Electrodes applying such kind of titania nanotubes will have a potential to further enhance the efficiencies of TNAs-based dye-sensitized solar cells.     

Benzothiadiazole Containing D‐π‐A Conjugated Compounds for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells: Synthesis,Properties, and Photovoltaic Performances

Two D ‐π‐A conjugated molecules, BzTCA and BzTMCA , were developed through facile synthetic approaches for dye‐sensitized solar cells. The investigation of the photophysical properties of BzTCA and BzTMCA both in dilute solutions and in thin films indicates that their absorption exhibits a wide coverage of the solar spectrum. The absorption features for BzTCA and BzTMCA commence at about 710 nm in solution, and at about 800 nm in the solid state. The absorption maxima (λ_max) for both BzTCA and BzTMCA on TiO₂ film are almost the same as those in dilute solution. Their HOMOs and LUMOs were found to partly overlap at the center of these dyes, which guarantees appreciable interactions between the donors and acceptors. The investigation of the performance of dye‐sensitized solar cells fabricated from BzTCA and BzTMCA indicated that the power‐conversion efficiencies are 6.04 % and 4.68 %, respectively, which could be comparable with the normal sensitizer N3. BzTMCA showed lower incident photon‐to‐electron conversion efficiency (IPCE) and J_sc values relative to BzTCA , which is probably because of the weaker driving force of dye regeneration and electron injection process of BzTMCA . The IPCE responsive area reached nearly 800 nm, which provides great potential for further improvement of the photocurrent density and power‐conversion efficiency. Our investigations demonstrate that both dyes BzTCA and BzTMCA could be promising candidates for dye‐sensitized solar cells.     

2D-π-A Type Organic Dyes Based on N,N-Dimethylaryl Amine and Rhodamine-3-acetic Acid for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells

Three organic dyes XS17 – 19 based on N,N‐dimethylaryl amine and rhodamine‐3‐acetic acid moieties are designed and synthesized. These dyes were applied into nanocrystalline TiO₂ dye‐sensitized solar cells through standard operations, showing strong absorption bands at around 320–650 nm, and exhibiting broad IPCE responses. Cell based on XS17 gave a J_sc of 3.7 mA/cm², an open circuit voltage of 550 mV, and a fill factor of 0.68, corresponding to an overall conversion efficiency of 1.4%. The low overall conversion efficiency is due to the modest IPCE and V_oc values, which mainly stem from the acceptor of rhodanine‐3‐acetic acid.     

Ethoxy‐substituted Oligo‐phenylenevinylene‐Bridged Organic Dyes for Efficient Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Organic dyes with ethoxy‐substituted oligo‐phenylenevinylene as chromophores were synthesized for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), and the detailed relationships between the dye structures, photophysical properties, electrochemical properties, and performances of DSSCs were described. The dye S3O showed broad IPCE spectra in the spectral range of 350–750 nm, and the dye S1P showed solar energy‐to‐electricity conversion efficiency (() of up to 4.23% under AM 1.5 irradiation (100 mW/cm²) in comparison with the reference Ru‐complex (N719 dye) with an η value of 5.90% under similar experimental conditions.     

Enhanced Charge Separation Efficiency in Pyridine‐Anchored Phthalocyanine‐Sensitized Solar Cells by Linker Elongation

A series of zinc phthalocyanine sensitizers ( PcS22 – 24 ) having a pyridine anchoring group are designed and synthesized to investigate the structural dependence on performance in dye‐sensitized solar cells. The pyridine‐anchor zinc phthalocyanine sensitizer PcS23 shows 79 % incident‐photon to current‐conversion efficiency (IPCE) and 6.1 % energy conversion efficiency, which are comparable with similar phthalocyanine dyes having a carboxylic acid anchoring group. Based on DFT calculations, the high IPCE is attributed with the mixture of an excited‐state molecular orbital of the sensitizer and the orbitals of TiO₂. Between pyridine and carboxylic acid anchor dyes, opposite trends are observed in the linker‐length dependence of the IPCE. The red‐absorbing PcS23 is applied for co‐sensitization with a carboxyl‐anchor organic dye D131 that has a complementary spectral response. The site‐selective adsorption of PcS23 and D131 on the TiO₂ surface results in a panchromatic photocurrent response for the whole visible‐light region of sun light.     

Two main chain polymeric metal complexes as dye sensitizers for dye‐sensitized solar cells based on the coordination of the ligand containing 8‐hydroxyquinoline and phenylethyl or fluorene units with Eu(III)

Two novel main chain polymeric metal complexes containing 8‐hydroxyquinoline europium complexes and phenylethyl or fluorene units: 1,4‐Dioctyloxy‐2,5‐bis[2‐(8‐hydroxyquinoline)‐vinyl]‐benzene Eu(III) (3) and 2,7‐bis[2‐(8‐hydroxyquinoline)‐vinyl]‐9,9′‐diocthylfluorene Eu(III) (4) with donor–acceptor‐π‐conjugated structure (D‐π‐A) have been synthesized and investigated as dye sensitizers for dye‐sensitized solar cells dyes (DSSCs). They have been determined and studied by FT‐IR, TGA, DSC, GPC, Elemental analysis, UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and application in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) as dye sensitizers. On the basis of optimized dye and molecular structure, they have shown solar‐to‐electricity conversion efficiency 2.25% for 3 (J_sc = 4.77 mA cm^?2, V_oc = 630 mV, FF = 0.75) and 3.04% for 4 (J_sc = 6.33 mA cm^?2, V_oc = 640 mV, FF = 0.75), under the illumination of AM1.5G, 100 mW/cm². The IPCE of 3 and 4 are 30% and 46% at 400 nm, respectively. Besides, they showed good stabilities with thermal decomposition temperatures at 280 °C and 225 °C, respectively, which are suitable for DSSCs. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1943–1951, 2010     

Effect of long alkyl chains of aniline donor on the photovoltaic performance of D‐π‐A zinc porphyrin for dye‐sensitized solar cells

Three novel dyes of JJ1 , JJ2 , and JJ6 featured zinc porphyrin as a basic core structure; N, N‐alkyl‐4‐(prop‐1‐yn‐1‐yl)aniline as an electron donor linked to meso‐10‐position; 4‐(prop‐1‐yn‐1‐yl)benzoic acid as an electron acceptor linked to meso‐20‐position; and 2,6‐bis(dodecyloxy)phenyl or 2,6‐bis(octyloxy)phenyl respectively linked to meso‐5 and meso‐15‐positions of zinc porphyrin have been synthesized and used for dye‐sensitized solar cells. Porphyrin JJ6 featured the shortest alkyl group (─C₄H₉) on the donor, whereas JJ2 contained the longest alkyl groups (─C₁₂H₂₅), and JJ1 has a medium length of octyl groups. With these new porphyrin sensitizers, we observed that JJ6 has 7.55% power conversion efficiency under simulated one‐sun illumination (AM 1.5 G, 100 mW/cm²) with J_SC = 18.64 mA/cm², V_OC = 0.66 V, and fill factor (FF) = 0.61, which was higher than the other two; JJ1 (7.35%) with J_SC = 18.83 mA/cm², V_OC = 0.68 V, and FF = 0.60; and JJ2 (6.33%) with J_SC = 15.69 mA/cm², V_OC = 0.62 V, and FF = 0.65. The power conversion efficiency of JJ6 and JJ1 were higher than JJ2 , demonstrating that the lengthy alkyl groups on the aniline cause a decrease in efficiency of the devices.     

High‐Performance Organic Materials for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells: Triarylene‐Linked Dyads with a 4‐tert‐Butylphenylamine Donor

A series of organic dyes were prepared that displayed remarkable solar‐to‐energy conversion efficiencies in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). These dyes are composed of a 4‐tert‐butylphenylamine donor group (D), a cyanoacrylic‐acid acceptor group (A), and a phenylene‐thiophene‐phenylene (PSP) spacer group, forming a D‐π‐A system. A dye containing a bulky tert‐butylphenylene‐substituted carbazole (CB) donor group showed the highest performance, with an overall conversion efficiency of 6.70 %. The performance of the device was correlated to the structural features of the donor groups; that is, the presence of a tert‐butyl group can not only enhance the electron‐donating ability of the donor, but can also suppress intermolecular aggregation. A typical device made with the CB‐PSP dye afforded a maximum photon‐to‐current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 80 % in the region 400–480 nm, a short‐circuit photocurrent density J_sc=14.63 mA cm^?2, an open‐circuit photovoltage V_oc=0.685 V, and a fill factor FF=0.67. When chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) was used as a co‐absorbent, the open‐circuit voltage of CB‐PSP was elevated significantly, yet the overall performance decreased by 16–18 %. This result indicated that the presence of 4‐tert‐butylphenyl substituents can effectively inhibit self‐aggregation, even without CDCA.     

Dye-sensitized solar cells based on donor-π-acceptor fluorescent dyes with a pyridine ring as an electron-withdrawing-injecting anchoring group

A new‐type of donor–acceptor π‐conjugated (D‐π‐A) fluorescent dyes NI3 – NI8 with a pyridine ring as electron‐withdrawing‐injecting anchoring group have been developed and their photovoltaic performances in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are investigated. The short‐circuit photocurrent densities and solar energy‐to‐electricity conversion yields of DSSCs based on NI3 – NI8 are greater than those for the conventional D‐π‐A dye sensitizers NI1 and NI2 with a carboxyl group as the electron‐withdrawing anchoring group. The IR spectra of NI3 – NI8 adsorbed on TiO₂ indicate the formation of coordinate bonds between the pyridine ring of dyes NI3 – NI8 and the Lewis acid sites (exposed Tiⁿ⁺ cations) of the TiO₂ surface. This work demonstrates that the pyridine rings of D‐π‐A dye sensitizers that form a coordinate bond with the Lewis acid site of a TiO₂ surface are promising candidates as not only electron‐withdrawing anchoring group but also electron‐injecting group, rather than the carboxyl groups of the conventional D‐π‐A dye sensitizers that form an ester linkage with the Brønsted acid sites of the TiO₂ surface.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Extended Bis(terpyridine)ruthenium Amino Acids

(Oligopyridine)ruthenium(II) complexes have been widely used in dye sensitized solar cells and other sophisticated optical devices due to their outstanding photophysical properties and their chemical stability. Herein, we describe the longitudinal extension of our previously reported bis(terpyridine)ruthenium(II) amino acid [Ru(tpy–NH₂)(tpy–COOH)]²⁺ (tpy = 4′‐substituted 2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine) by insertion of para‐phenylene spacers –C₆H₄– between the terpyridine and the functional groups. The influence of the para‐phenylene spacer on the absorption and emission properties is investigated using UV/Vis absorption and emission spectroscopy and is discussed within a qualitative molecular orbital picture.     

Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells Based on a Donor–Acceptor System with a Pyridine Cation as an Electron‐Withdrawing Anchoring Group

New hemicyanine dyes ( CM101 , CM102 , CM103 , and CM104 ) in which tetrahydroquinoline derivatives are used as electron donors and N‐(carboxymethyl)‐pyridinium is used as an electron acceptor and anchoring group were designed and synthesized for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Compared with corresponding dyes that have cyanoacetic acid as the acceptor, N‐(carboxymethyl)‐pyridinium has a stronger electron‐withdrawing ability, which causes the absorption maximum of dyes to be redshifted. The photovoltaic performance of the DSSCs based on dyes CM101 – CM104 markedly depends on the molecular structures of the dyes in terms of the n‐hexyl chains and methoxyl. The device sensitized by dye CM104 achieved the best conversion efficiency of 7.0 % (J_sc=13.4 mA cm^?2, V_oc=704 mV, FF=74.8 %) under AM 1.5 irradiation (100 mW cm^?2). In contrast, the device sensitized by reference dye CMR104 with the same donor but the cyanoacetic acid as the acceptor gave an efficiency of 3.4 % (J_sc=6.2 mA cm^?2, V_oc=730 mV, FF=74.8 %). Under the same conditions, the cell fabricated with N719 sensitized porous TiO₂ exhibited an efficiency of 7.9 % (J_sc=15.4 mA cm^?2, V_oc=723 mV, FF=72.3 %). The dyes CM101 – CM104 show a broader spectral response compared with the reference dyes CMR101 – CMR104 and have high IPCE exceeding 90 % from 450 to 580 nm. Considering the reflection of sunlight, the photoelectric conversion efficiency could be almost 100 % during this region.