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Updated: Jan 20, 2026
Dye-sensitized Solar Cells: Principle, Fabrication and Performance
Published on: April 30, 2023
Novel and Stable D-A-π-A Dyes for Efficient Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
Peng Liu1, Walid Sharmoukh1,2, Bo Xu1
1Applied Physical Chemistry, Center of Molecular Devices, Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Organic Chemistry, Center of Molecular Devices, Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Science and Engineering, and Department of Fiber and Polymer Technology, Wallenberg Wood Science Center, School of Chemical Science and Engineering, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, SE-10044 Stockholm, Sweden.
Two new organic sensitizers, W7 and W8, significantly boost solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell (ssDSSC) performance. W7 achieved a 6.9% power conversion efficiency, demonstrating improved charge transfer and dye regeneration for reliable, large-scale applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Renewable Energy
- Photovoltaics
Background:
- Solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (ssDSSCs) offer a promising alternative to traditional photovoltaics.
- Developing efficient organic sensitizers is crucial for enhancing ssDSSC performance.
- Novel donor-acceptor-π-acceptor structures are being explored to improve charge dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and evaluate two novel organic sensitizers, W7 and W8, for ssDSSC applications.
- To investigate the impact of triphenylamine moiety incorporation on sensitizer performance.
- To understand the charge transfer and regeneration mechanisms in ssDSSCs utilizing these new sensitizers.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of ssDSSCs using W7 and W8 as sensitizers with Spiro-OMeTAD as the hole-transport material (HTM).
- Performance characterization under standard AM 1.5 G illumination (100 mW cm-2), measuring power conversion efficiency, photocurrent, and open-circuit voltage.
- Photoinduced absorption spectroscopy to assess dye regeneration efficiency.
- Measurement of hole conductivity in dye/HTM layers to evaluate charge transfer.
Main Results:
- W7-based ssDSSCs achieved a power conversion efficiency of 6.9%, with a photocurrent of 10.51 mA cm-2 and open-circuit voltage of 880 mV.
- W8-based ssDSSCs exhibited an efficiency of 5.2%, photocurrent of 9.55 mA cm-2, and open-circuit voltage of 870 mV.
- Both W7 and W8 demonstrated efficient dye regeneration and superior hole conductivity compared to the WS2 sensitizer, indicating enhanced interfacial charge transfer.
Conclusions:
- The incorporation of triphenylamine moiety into organic sensitizers significantly improves ssDSSC performance.
- W7 and W8 are efficient sensitizers for ssDSSCs, offering high power conversion efficiencies and good operational stability.
- The findings provide valuable insights for designing high-performance ssDSSCs for potential large-scale commercialization.
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