Enhanced electronic contacts in SnO2-dye-P3HT based solid state dye sensitized solar cells

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Renewable Energy
• Photovoltaics

Background:

• Solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (SDSCs) offer a promising alternative to conventional photovoltaics.
• High charge carrier mobility in materials like tin oxide (SnO2) and poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) is desirable but can lead to leakage currents.
• Conventional device architectures are often unsuitable for high-mobility materials due to low shunt resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize the fabrication of SDSCs utilizing mesoporous tin oxide photoanodes and P3HT hole conductors.
• To address and minimize charge carrier leakage currents in the solar cell device.
• To enhance the overall power conversion efficiency of the developed SDSCs.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of SDSCs with mesoporous tin oxide photoanodes infiltrated with P3HT.
• Implementation of a double compact layer structure to reduce hole leakage current through the FTO anode.
• Development of an optimal P3HT capping layer protocol to minimize electron leakage current at the silver cathode.

Main Results:

• Significant increase in electron lifetime within the optimized solar cells.
• Successful mitigation of both hole and electron leakage currents.
• Achieved simulated AM1.5 solar power conversion efficiencies exceeding 1%.

Conclusions:

• The developed fabrication protocol effectively overcomes leakage current issues in high-mobility materials for SDSCs.
• The optimized double compact layer and P3HT capping layer strategies are crucial for improving device performance.
• The study demonstrates a viable pathway for enhancing the efficiency of solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells beyond 1%.