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Electrospinning of Photocatalytic Electrodes for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells
Published on: June 28, 2017
2D layered insulator hexagonal boron nitride enabled surface passivation in dye sensitized solar cells
Mariyappan Shanmugam1, Robin Jacobs-Gedrim, Chris Durcan
1College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12203, USA. byu@albany.edu.
Nanoscale
|October 4, 2013
Summary
Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) enhances dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) efficiency by over 57% by passivating TiO2 surfaces. This 2D material reduces carrier recombination, improving solar cell performance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Interfacial carrier recombination is a major limitation in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).
- Effective surface passivation is crucial for improving photovoltaic device performance.
- Traditional passivation methods face challenges in achieving optimal interface quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) as a novel surface passivation material for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).
- To evaluate the impact of h-BN passivation on the photo-conversion efficiency and interfacial properties of TiO2 photoanodes.
- To explore the potential of 2D layered insulators for advanced solar cell applications.
Main Methods:
- Coating semiconductor TiO2 with hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanoflakes.
- Characterization of h-BN coated TiO2 using Raman spectroscopy.
- Fabrication and performance testing of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with and without h-BN passivation.
- Analysis of device performance metrics including photo-conversion efficiency and dark saturation current.
Main Results:
- A ~57% enhancement in photo-conversion efficiency was observed in DSSCs utilizing h-BN coated TiO2.
- Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of highly crystalline, few-layer h-BN on the TiO2 surface.
- h-BN passivation significantly minimized electron-hole recombination at the TiO2/dye/electrolyte interfaces.
- DSSCs with h-BN exhibited improved interfacial properties, evidenced by altered dark saturation current characteristics without impeding carrier transport.
Conclusions:
- Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is a promising new class of surface passivation material for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).
- The desirable material features of h-BN, including high crystallinity and defect-free atomic planes, enable effective surface passivation.
- h-BN offers a viable alternative to conventional passivation techniques, potentially advancing solar cell technology.
