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Integrating a Triplet-triplet Annihilation Up-conversion System to Enhance Dye-sensitized Solar Cell Response to Sub-bandgap Light
Published on: September 12, 2014
Opaline backreflector coating in dye-sensitized solar cell.
Lia Agustine Herman1, Chan Hoe Yip, Chee Cheong Wong
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798.
Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
|December 7, 2010
Summary
Colloidal photonic crystals enhance dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) performance. Self-assembled photonic crystal films improved light trapping and boosted efficiency by 30% at specific wavelengths.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Optics
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Photonic crystals are nanostructures that control light propagation through engineered periodicity.
- Their reflective properties can be tuned to specific wavelengths.
- Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) can benefit from enhanced light management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and integrate colloidal photonic crystal films as backreflectors in DSSCs.
- To investigate the effect of these photonic crystals on the performance of DSSCs.
- To optimize photonic crystal properties for efficient light harvesting.
Main Methods:
- Self-assembly of mono-layer and double-layer colloidal photonic crystal films using polystyrene particles (200-290 nm).
- Fabrication on glass substrates via the flow controlled vertical deposition (FCVD) method.
- Integration of the films as backreflectors in DSSCs with Ruthenium-complex dye.
Main Results:
- Opaline films with Bragg's reflection wavelengths tunable from 450 nm to 750 nm were successfully fabricated.
- These wavelengths were matched to the absorption spectrum of the Ruthenium-complex dye.
- A significant enhancement in incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of approximately 30% was observed at the Bragg's peak wavelength.
Conclusions:
- Colloidal photonic crystals serve as effective backreflectors in DSSCs.
- The integration of photonic crystals leads to improved light harvesting and increased cell efficiency.
- This approach offers a promising strategy for enhancing the performance of solar energy devices.
