Step-by-Step Heating of Dye Solution for Efficient Solar Energy Harvesting in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Syed Afaq Ali Shah, Muhammad Hassan Sayyad, Salem Abdulkarim, Qiquan Qiao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

A step-by-step heat treatment was applied to ruthenium-based N719 dye solution for its potential application in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The effects were analyzed and compared with standard untreated devices. A significant increase in short circuit current density was observed by employing a step-by-step heating method for dye solution in DSSCs. This increase of Jsc is attributed to the enhancement in dye adsorption by the surface of the semiconductor and the higher number of charge carriers generated. DSSCs fabricated by a heated dye solution have achieved an overall power conversion efficiency of 8.41% which is significantly higher than the efficiency of 7.31% achieved with DSSCs fabricated without heated dye. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and capacitance voltage studies were performed to understand the better performance of the device fabricated with heated dye. Furthermore, transient photocurrent and transient photovoltage measurements were also performed to gain an insight into interfacial charge carrier recombinations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4737-4741
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Electronic Materials
Volume47
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Ruthenium dyes
  • charge carriers
  • dye-sensitized solar cells
  • electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
  • semiconductor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Materials Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Step-by-Step Heating of Dye Solution for Efficient Solar Energy Harvesting in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this