Influence of light scattering particles in the TiO2 photoelectrode for solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell

A TiO₂ film was modified by adding light scattering particles and applied to an anode electrode in solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The TiO₂ films with 10 wt% (vs. TiO₂ weight) light scattering particles showed enhanced performance (28%), compared with nanocrystalline TiO₂ films, which were used as the controls. In particular, the photocurrent density (J_sc) reached approximately 12.6 mA/cm² under a one-sun condition. This was attributed to the light scattering effect and decrease in internal resistance through the macroporous structure with a minor loss of electron transport. However, in the case of a larger concentration of light scattering particles (>10 wt%), there was a decrease in the efficiency of DSSCs, which resulted from the decreased surface area and degraded electron transport and charge recombination properties, as confirmed by the measurement of stepped light-induced photocurrent and photovoltage transients. Furthermore, the diffusion properties and kinetics of the composite polymer electrolyte with the nanoporous and macroporous TiO₂ films were compared and evaluated from the electrochemical impedance spectra.     

Post-modification using aluminum isopropoxide after dye-sensitization for improved performance and stability of quasi-solid-state solar cells

In this study, dye-sensitized TiO₂ electrodes were immersed into a solution of aluminum isopropoxide and after hydrolysis quasi-solid-state solar cells were fabricated. The interaction between the dye and the resulting Al₂O₃ overlayer was investigated by ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectrum, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum and X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS). The current density–voltage (I–V) characteristics showed that the overlayer increased the photovoltage and decreased the photocurrent under low intensity irradiation, and increased both the photovoltage and photocurrent under AM 1.5 irradiation. The Al₂O₃ overlayer at the dye/electrolyte interface resulted in a 28% improvement in overall photo-to-electrical conversion efficiency from 2.60 to 3.32%. Dark current measurements showed that Al₂O₃ acted as an insulator barrier to retard recombination between the TiO₂ and dye/quasi-solid-state electrolyte interface. Without encapsulation, dye-sensitized solar cells with Al₂O₃ coating after sensitization also exhibited improved stability compared to cells without coating.     

Synthesis of new perylene imide dyes and their photovoltaic performances in nanocrystalline TiO2 dye-sensitized solar cells

Eight novel perylene imide derivatives were synthesized to determine the effect of the nature of electron donating substituents on the perylene core (ether or N-amino), the position of the carboxylic acid anchoring group and the presence of a fused benzimidazole moiety on the performances of dye-sensitized solar cells. The photovoltaic efficiency under AM1.5 of these new dyes, although not optimized, ranges from 0.2% until 2.3%. We note the importance of the position-anchoring group, which controls the electron injection efficiency. With respect to the excited-state electron donor strength, four O-aryl substituents at the bay position lead to similar effect as two N-piperidinyl groups but with a lower propensity to aggregation and give slightly higher photovoltaic performance than the latter. The benzimidazole unit extends the absorbance of the perylene imide to longer wavelengths, but this effect is lower than introducing charge transfer transition with N-amino substituents. Overall, this work shows that perylene imide remains a promising molecular basis for the future design of new fully organic sensitizers for nanostructured TiO₂ solar cells.     

New pyrrolidine and pyrroline derivatives of fullerenes: from the synthesis to the use in light-converting systems

The results of the authors’ studies on the [2+3] cycloaddition of azomethine and nitrile ylides generated from picolylamine and benzylamine derivatives to fullerenes are systematized and new experimental data are considered. Catalysts and microwave radiation promoting the formation of ylides and their addition to fullerenes were successfully used for the first time. A large series of new pyrrolidine and pyrroline derivatives of fullerenes C₆₀ and C₇₀ were synthesized and characterized. The proposed procedures afford the reaction products in yields twice as high (80–85%) as those attained by the classical Prato reaction. The reactions proceed with virtually complete regio- (in the case of C₇₀) and stereoselectivity to afford only cis-2′,5′-disubstituted and trans-1′,2′,5′-trisubstituted pyrrolidinofullerenes. Pyridyl-substituted pyrrolidinofullerenes react with metalloporphyrins and phthalocyanines to form self-ordered coordination complexes. The latter are analogs of natural photosynthetic antenna systems due to photoinduced charge separation that occurs in these complexes upon exposure to light. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 873–898, May, 2008.     

两亲性D-π-A型有机染料在染料敏化太阳能电池中的应用

设计合成了6个带有烷基链的D-π-A型有机光敏染料应用于染料敏化太阳能电池. 发现长链烷基有利于电池开路光电压的提高. 利用脂肪酸共敏化可进一步提高染料分子的敏化效果, 且提高的程度与脂肪酸的链长有重要关系.     

Terpyridine Based Heteroleptic Ruthenium Complexes: Influence of Donor and Acceptor Ligands in Photosensitization

We report heteroleptic ruthenium complexes of terpyridine (tpy) ligands with directly linked carboxylic acid anchors. These complexes feature methyl or methoxy-substituted ^4′−Phtpy as donor ligands. We prepared these heteroleptic complexes from the ruthenium (II) precursor via a milder route to preclude the homoleptic complex formation. The donor−acceptor arrangement of tpy ligands in these ruthenium complexes renders visible light absorption giving metal and ligand-to-ligand charge transfer excitations at c.a. 490 nm. We evaluate the effect of the tpy donor substituents on the light-harvesting ability in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) and compare their photosensitizing ability with heteroleptic complexes bearing phenyl spacer at the acceptor end. Further, scrutinizing their photovoltaic performance, we studied their electron transfer kinetics in DSSCs using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. This paper presents the structure-photosensitization relationship of these heteroleptic ruthenium complexes through a combined experimental and computational approach.     

Aggregation-induced Emission Materials for High-efficiency Perovskite Solar Cells

The perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with high efficiency and stability are in great demand for commercial applications. Although the remarkable photovoltaic feature of perovskite layer plays a great role in improving the PCE of PSCs, the inevitable defects and poor stability of perovskite, etc. are the bottleneck and restrict the commercialization of PSCs. Herein, a review provides a strategy of applying aggregation-induced emission (AIE) molecules, containing passivation functional groups and distinct AIE character, which serves as the alternative materials for fabricating high-efficiency and high-stability PSCs. The methods of introducing AIE molecules to PSCs are also summarized, including additive engineering, interfacial engineering, hole transport materials and so on. In addition, the functions of AIE molecule are discussed, such as defects passivation, morphology modulation, well-matched energy level, enhanced stability, hole transport ability, carrier recombination suppression. Finally, the detailed functions of AIE molecules are offered and further research trend for high performance PSCs based on AIE materials is proposed.     

Correlation between Interfacial Structures and Device Performance: The Double-Edged Sword Effect of Lead Iodide in Perovskite Solar Cells

The interfacial electronic structure of perovskite layers and transport layers is critical for the performance and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The device performance of PSCs can generally be improved by adding a slight excess of lead iodide (PbI₂) to the precursor solution. However, its underlying working mechanism is controversial. Here, we performed a comprehensive study of the electronic structures at the interface between CH₃NH₃PbI₃ and C₆₀ with and without the modification of PbI₂ using in situ photoemission spectroscopy measurements. The correlation between the interfacial structures and the device performance was explored based on performance and stability tests. We found that there is an interfacial dipole reversal, and the downward band bending is larger at the CH₃NH₃PbI₃/C₆₀ interface with the modification of PbI₂ as compared to that without PbI₂. Therefore, PSCs with PbI₂ modification exhibit faster charge carrier transport and slower carrier recombination. Nevertheless, the modification of PbI₂ undermines the device stability due to aggravated iodide migration. Our findings provide a fundamental understanding of the CH₃NH₃PbI₃/C₆₀ interfacial structure from the perspective of the atomic layer and insight into the double-edged sword effect of PbI₂ as an additive.     

Facile Formation of Sulfurized Nanorod-Like ZnO/Zn(OH)2 and Hierarchical Flower-Like γ-Zn(OH)2/ϵ-Zn(OH)2 from a Green Synthesis and Application as Luminescent Solar Concentrator

This research endeavors to overcome the significant challenge of developing materials that simultaneously possess photostability and photosensitivity to UV-visible irradiation. Sulfurized nanorod (NR)-like ZnO/Zn(OH)₂ and hierarchical flower-like γ-Zn(OH)₂/ϵ-Zn(OH)₂ were identified from XRD diffraction patterns and Raman vibrational modes. The sulfurized material, observed by FEG-SEM and TEM, showed diameters ranging from 10 and 40 nm and lengths exceeding 200 nm. The S²⁻ ions intercalated Zn²⁺, modulating NRs to dumbbell-like microrods. SAED and HRTEM illustrated the atomic structure in (101) crystal plane. Its direct band gap of 3.0 eV was attributed to the oxygen vacancies, which also contribute to the deep-level emissions at 422 and 485 nm. BET indicated specific surface area of 4.4 m² g⁻¹ and pore size as mesoporosity, which are higher compared to the non-sulfurized analogue. These findings were consistent with the observed photocurrent, photostability and photoluminescence (PL), further supporting the suitability of sulfurized NR-like ZnO/Zn(OH)₂ as a promising candidate for Luminescent solar concentrators (LSC)-photovoltaic (PV) system.