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8 pages, 3746 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fabrication and Characterization of Co-Sensitized Dye Solar Cells Using Energy Transfer from Spiropyran Derivatives to SQ2 Dye

by Michihiro Hara and Ryuhei Ejima

Molecules 2024, 29(20), 4896; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29204896 - 16 Oct 2024

Viewed by 648

Abstract

We developed dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) using 1,5-carboxy-2-[[3-[(2,3-dihydro-1,1-dimethyl-3-ethyl-1H-benzo[e]indol-2-ylidene)methyl]-2-hydroxy-4-oxo-2-cyclobuten-1-ylidene]methyl]-3,3-dimethyl-1-octyl-3H-indolium and 1,3,3-trimethyl indolino-6′-nitrobenzopyrylospiran. The DSSCs incorporate photochromic molecules to regulate photoelectric conversion properties. We irradiated photoelectrodes adsorbed with SQ2/SPNO₂ using both UV and visible light and observed the color changes in these photoelectrodes. Following [...] Read more.

We developed dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) using 1,5-carboxy-2-[[3-[(2,3-dihydro-1,1-dimethyl-3-ethyl-1H-benzo[e]indol-2-ylidene)methyl]-2-hydroxy-4-oxo-2-cyclobuten-1-ylidene]methyl]-3,3-dimethyl-1-octyl-3H-indolium and 1,3,3-trimethyl indolino-6′-nitrobenzopyrylospiran. The DSSCs incorporate photochromic molecules to regulate photoelectric conversion properties. We irradiated photoelectrodes adsorbed with SQ2/SPNO₂ using both UV and visible light and observed the color changes in these photoelectrodes. Following UV irradiation, the transmittance at 540 nm decreased by 20%, while it increased by 15% after visible light irradiation. This indicates that SPNO₂ on the DSSCs is photoisomerized from the spiropyran form (SP) to the photomerocyanine (PMC) form under UV light. The photoelectric conversion efficiency (η) of the DSSCs increased by 0.15% following 5 min of UV irradiation and decreased by 0.07% after 5 min of visible light irradiation. However, direct electron injection from PMC seems challenging, suggesting that the mechanism for improved photoelectric conversion in these DSSCs is likely due to Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from PMC to the SQ2 dye. The findings suggest that the co-sensitization of DSSCs by PMC-SQ2 and SQ2 alone, facilitated by their respective photoabsorption, results in externally responsive and co-sensitized solar cells. This study provides valuable insights into the development of advanced DSSCs with externally controllable photoelectric conversion properties via the strategic use of photochromic molecules and energy transfer mechanisms, advancing future solar energy applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Dye-Sensitized and Perovskite Solar Cells)

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14 pages, 20604 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Improvement in Dibenzofuran-Based Hole Transport Materials for Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells

by Yuanqiong Lin, Xiao Zhang, Jinchuan Lu, Xiaohan Lin, Yinghua Lu, Xin Li and Song Tu

Molecules 2024, 29(6), 1208; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29061208 - 8 Mar 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1457

Abstract

The π-conjugated system and the steric configuration of hole transport materials (HTMs) could greatly affect their various properties and the corresponding perovskite solar cells’ efficiencies. Here, a molecular engineering strategy of incorporating different amounts of p-methoxyaniline-substituted dibenzofurans as π bridge into HTMs was [...] Read more.

The π-conjugated system and the steric configuration of hole transport materials (HTMs) could greatly affect their various properties and the corresponding perovskite solar cells’ efficiencies. Here, a molecular engineering strategy of incorporating different amounts of p-methoxyaniline-substituted dibenzofurans as π bridge into HTMs was proposed to develop oligomer HTMs, named mDBF, bDBF, and tDBF. Upon extending the π-conjugation of HTMs, their HOMO energy levels were slightly deepened, significantly increasing the thermal stability and hole mobility. The incorporation of p-methoxyaniline bridges built one or two additional triphenylamine propeller structures, resulting in a denser film. Here, the tDBF-based n-i-p flexible perovskite solar cells createdchampion efficiency, giving a power conversion efficiency of 19.46%. And the simple synthesis and purification process of tDBF contributed to its low manufacturing cost in the laboratory. This work provided a reference for the development of low-cost and efficient HTMs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Dye-Sensitized and Perovskite Solar Cells)

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12 pages, 2618 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Highly Efficient DSSCs Sensitized Using NIR Responsive Bacteriopheophytine-a and Its Derivatives Extracted from Rhodobacter Sphaeroides Photobacteria

by Abdulrahman I. Almansour, Raju Suresh Kumar, Khloud Ibrahim Al-Shemaimari and Natarajan Arumugam

Molecules 2024, 29(5), 931; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29050931 - 21 Feb 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1183

Abstract

Employing naturally extracted dyes and their derivatives as photosensitizers towards the construction of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) has been recently emerging for establishing sustainable energy conversion devices. In this present work, Rhodobacter Sphaeroides Photobacteria (Rh. Sphaeroides) was used as a natural source from [...] Read more.

Employing naturally extracted dyes and their derivatives as photosensitizers towards the construction of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) has been recently emerging for establishing sustainable energy conversion devices. In this present work, Rhodobacter Sphaeroides Photobacteria (Rh. Sphaeroides) was used as a natural source from which Bacteriopheophytine-a (Bhcl) dye was extracted. Further, two cationic derivatives of Bhcl, viz., Guanidino-bacteriopheophorbide-a (Gua-Bhcl) and (2-aminoethyl)triphenylphosphono-bacteriopheophorbide-a (2AETPPh-Bhcl) were synthesized. The thus obtained Bhcl, Gua-Bhcl and 2AETPPh-Bhcl were characterized using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) and their photophysical properties were investigated using excitation and emission studies. All three near-infrared (NIR) responsive dyes were employed as natural sensitizers towards the construction of DSSC devices, using platinum as a photocathode, dye-sensitized P25-TiO₂ as a photoanode and I⁻/I₃⁻ as an electrolyte. DSSCs fabricated using all three dyes have shown reasonably good photovoltaic performance, among which 2AETPPh-Bhcl dye has shown a relatively higher power conversion efficiency (η) of 0.38% with a short circuit photocurrent density (J_SC) of 1.03 mA cm⁻². This could be attributed to the dye’s natural optimal light absorption in the visible and NIR region and uniform dispersion through the electrostatic interaction of the cationic derivatives on the TiO₂ photoanode. Furthermore, the atomic force microscopy studies and electrochemical investigations using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Bode’s plot also supported the enhancement in performance attained with 2AETPPh-Bhcl dye. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Dye-Sensitized and Perovskite Solar Cells)

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15 pages, 6391 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hybrid Mesoporous TiO₂/ZnO Electron Transport Layer for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cell

by Aleksandra Drygała, Zbigniew Starowicz, Katarzyna Gawlińska-Nęcek, Małgorzata Karolus, Marek Lipiński, Paweł Jarka, Wiktor Matysiak, Eva Tillová, Peter Palček and Tomasz Tański

Molecules 2023, 28(15), 5656; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28155656 - 26 Jul 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1902

Abstract

In recent years, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have gained major attention as potentially useful photovoltaic technology due to their ever-increasing power-conversion efficiency (PCE). The efficiency of PSCs depends strongly on the type of materials selected as the electron transport layer (ETL). [...] Read more.

In recent years, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have gained major attention as potentially useful photovoltaic technology due to their ever-increasing power-conversion efficiency (PCE). The efficiency of PSCs depends strongly on the type of materials selected as the electron transport layer (ETL). TiO₂ is the most widely used electron transport material for the n-i-p structure of PSCs. Nevertheless, ZnO is a promising candidate owing to its high transparency, suitable energy band structure, and high electron mobility. In this investigation, hybrid mesoporous TiO₂/ZnO ETL was fabricated for a perovskite solar cell composed of FTO-coated glass/compact TiO₂/mesoporous ETL/FAPbI₃/2D perovskite/Spiro-OMeTAD/Au. The influence of ZnO nanostructures with different percentage weight contents on the photovoltaic performance was investigated. It was found that the addition of ZnO had no significant effect on the surface topography, structure, and optical properties of the hybrid mesoporous electron-transport layer but strongly affected the electrical properties of PSCs. The best efficiency rate of 18.24% has been obtained for PSCs with 2 wt.% ZnO. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Dye-Sensitized and Perovskite Solar Cells)

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14 pages, 3538 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bifacial Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Utilizing Visible and NIR Dyes: Implications of Dye Adsorption Behaviour

by Suraya Shaban, Ajendra K. Vats and Shyam S. Pandey

Molecules 2023, 28(6), 2784; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28062784 - 20 Mar 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2037

Abstract

Bifacial dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated utilizing dye cocktails of two dyes, Z-907 and SQ-140, which have complementary light absorption and photon harvesting in the visible and near-infrared wavelength regions, for panchromatic photon harvesting. The investigation of the rate of dye adsorption [...] Read more.

Bifacial dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated utilizing dye cocktails of two dyes, Z-907 and SQ-140, which have complementary light absorption and photon harvesting in the visible and near-infrared wavelength regions, for panchromatic photon harvesting. The investigation of the rate of dye adsorption and the binding strengths of the dyes on mesoporous TiO₂ corroborated the finding that the Z-907 dye showed a rate of dye adsorption that was about >15 times slower and a binding that was about 3 times stronger on mesoporous TiO₂ as compared to SQ-140. Utilizing the dye cocktails Z-907 and SQ-140 from ethanol, the formation of the dye bilayer, which was significantly influenced by the ratio of dyes and adsorption time, was demonstrated. It was demonstrated that the dyes of Z-907 and SQ-140 prepared in 1:9 or 9:1 molar ratios favoured the dye bilayer formation by subtly controlling the adsorption time. In contrast, the 1:1 ratio counterpart was prone to form mixed dye adsorption; the best performance of the BF-DSSCs was shown when a dye cocktail of Z-907 and SQ-140 in a molar 9:1 ratio was used to prepare a photoanode for 1 h of dye adsorption. The BF-DSSCs thus exhibited PCEs of 4.23% and 3.48% upon the front and rear side light illuminations, a cumulated PCE of 7.71%, and a very good BBF of 83%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Dye-Sensitized and Perovskite Solar Cells)

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12 pages, 4527 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhanced Performance of Camphorsulfonic Acid-Doped Perovskite Solar Cells

by Adam Wincukiewicz, Ewelina Wierzyńska, Aliaksei Bohdan, Mateusz Tokarczyk, Krzysztof P. Korona, Magdalena Skompska and Maria Kamińska

Molecules 2022, 27(22), 7850; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27227850 - 14 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2337

Abstract

High-quality perovskite film with large grains and therefore reduced grain boundaries plays a significant role in improving the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and ensuring good long-term stability of the perovskite solar cells. In this work, we found that adding camphorsulfonic acid (CSA), a [...] Read more.

High-quality perovskite film with large grains and therefore reduced grain boundaries plays a significant role in improving the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and ensuring good long-term stability of the perovskite solar cells. In this work, we found that adding camphorsulfonic acid (CSA), a Lewis base, to the perovskite solution results in the crystallization of larger perovskite grains. By varying the concentration of CSA, we found that the optimal concentration of the additive is 1 mg/mL, which leads to an 20% increase in PCE of the cells compared to the reference CSA-free cell. Interestingly, we observed that the PCE of cells with an excess of CSA was initially poor, but may increase significantly over time, possibly due to CSA migration to the hole-transporting layer, leading to an improvement in its conductivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Dye-Sensitized and Perovskite Solar Cells)

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9 pages, 2379 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Inclined Substrate Deposition of Nanostructured TiO₂ Thin Films for DSSC Application

by Lijian Meng and Tao Yang

Molecules 2021, 26(11), 3122; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26113122 - 24 May 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2271

Abstract

Nanostructured TiO₂ films were deposited onto Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) and glass substrates by dc reactive magnetron sputtering at different substrate inclination angles. The structural and optical properties of the deposited films were studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and UV–Vis [...] Read more.

Nanostructured TiO₂ films were deposited onto Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) and glass substrates by dc reactive magnetron sputtering at different substrate inclination angles. The structural and optical properties of the deposited films were studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and UV–Vis spectrophotometer, respectively. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) were assembled using these TiO₂ films as photoelectrodes and the effect of the substrate inclination angle in the preparing process of TiO₂ films on the DSSC conversion efficiency was studied. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Dye-Sensitized and Perovskite Solar Cells)

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Review

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20 pages, 11879 KiB

Open AccessReview

Recent Advances on Pt-Free Electro-Catalysts for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

by Yi-June Huang, Prasanta Kumar Sahoo, Dung-Sheng Tsai and Chuan-Pei Lee

Molecules 2021, 26(17), 5186; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26175186 - 26 Aug 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3164

Abstract

Since Prof. Grätzel and co-workers achieved breakthrough progress on dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) in 1991, DSSCs have been extensively investigated and wildly developed as a potential renewable power source in the last two decades due to their low cost, low energy-intensive processing, and [...] Read more.

Since Prof. Grätzel and co-workers achieved breakthrough progress on dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) in 1991, DSSCs have been extensively investigated and wildly developed as a potential renewable power source in the last two decades due to their low cost, low energy-intensive processing, and high roll-to-roll compatibility. During this period, the highest efficiency recorded for DSSC under ideal solar light (AM 1.5G, 100 mW cm⁻²) has increased from ~7% to ~14.3%. For the practical use of solar cells, the performance of photovoltaic devices in several conditions with weak light irradiation (e.g., indoor) or various light incident angles are also an important item. Accordingly, DSSCs exhibit high competitiveness in solar cell markets because their performances are less affected by the light intensity and are less sensitive to the light incident angle. However, the most used catalyst in the counter electrode (CE) of a typical DSSC is platinum (Pt), which is an expensive noble metal and is rare on earth. To further reduce the cost of the fabrication of DSSCs on the industrial scale, it is better to develop Pt-free electro-catalysts for the CEs of DSSCs, such as transition metallic compounds, conducting polymers, carbonaceous materials, and their composites. In this article, we will provide a short review on the Pt-free electro-catalyst CEs of DSSCs with superior cell compared to Pt CEs; additionally, those selected reports were published within the past 5 years. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Dye-Sensitized and Perovskite Solar Cells)

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