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11% efficiency solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells with copper(II/I) hole transport materials
Yiming Cao1, Yasemin Saygili2, Amita Ummadisingu1
1Laboratory of Photonics and Interfaces, Institute of Chemical Sciences &Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Nature Communications
|June 10, 2017
Summary
Researchers achieved a record 11% efficiency in solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells using novel amorphous copper conductors. This breakthrough addresses key performance limitations in dye-sensitized solar cells, paving the way for low-cost photovoltaics.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Renewable Energy
- Photovoltaics
Background:
- Solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (ssDSSCs) face challenges including poor nanopore filling and low conductivity of hole-transport materials (HTMs).
- Crystallization of HTMs within mesoscopic titanium dioxide (TiO2) scaffolds hinders device performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a record-efficiency stable ssDSSCs using a novel HTM.
- To investigate the charge transport dynamics in the ssDSSCs.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of ssDSSCs utilizing a blend of two copper complexes as HTMs.
- Characterization of the ssDSSCs under standard air mass 1.5 global conditions.
- Time-resolved laser photolysis to determine electron injection and dye regeneration time constants.
Main Results:
- Achieved a record 11% power conversion efficiency for stable ssDSSCs.
- Employed amorphous Cu(II/I) conductors infiltrated in a 6.5 μm-thick mesoscopic TiO2 scaffold.
- Determined electron injection time constant of 25 ps and dye regeneration time constant of 3.2 μs.
Conclusions:
- Amorphous copper-based HTMs are crucial for high-efficiency ssDSSCs.
- The developed ssDSSCs demonstrate improved performance by overcoming previous limitations.
- This research promotes the development of cost-effective solid-state photovoltaics using transition metal complexes.
