Quasi-photonic crystal effect of TiCl₃/electrolyte matrix in unipolar dye-absorber devices
Dong-Won Park1, Yonkil Jeong, Thangapandi PremKumar
1Research Institute for Solar and Sustainable Energies, ‡School of Environmental Science and Engineering and §Ertl Center for Electrochemistry and Catalysis, Gwangju Institute of Science Technology , Gwangju 500-712, South Korea.
Abstract:
Effectiveness of TiCl3 pre- and post-treatments on dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) and interfacial charge-transfer properties were investigated. It was confirmed that a yield of current collection was strongly dependent on the position of the TiCl3/electrolyte matrix in the DSC configuration. The interfacial charge-transfer properties were studied using thermionic emission-diffusion process and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis. The TiCl3/electrolyte matrix was considered to be a three-dimensional quasi-photonic crystal with a photonic band gap, which reinforces electric field and facilitates current collection from the TiCl3/electrolyte matrix to the FTO by accelerating electron motion, whereas the potential barrier blocks current collection from the TiO2 bulk region to the FTO and decreases current.
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