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Incorporating Solution-Processed Mesoporous WO3 as an Interfacial Cathode Buffer Layer for Photovoltaic Applications.
Anurag Roy1, Shubhranshu Bhandari1, Aritra Ghosh1
1Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall TR10 9FE, U.K.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry. A
|June 12, 2020
Summary
Dextran templating creates porous tungsten oxide (WO3) with a high surface area, improving solar cell efficiency. This mesoporous WO3 acts as a cathode buffer layer, significantly boosting performance in dye-sensitized and perovskite solar cells.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Tungsten oxide (WO3) is a promising material for energy applications.
- Developing efficient synthesis methods for nanostructured WO3 is crucial for enhancing device performance.
- Porosity and surface area significantly influence the electrochemical properties of WO3.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize monoclinic WO3 with controlled porosity using dextran as a template.
- To investigate the role of dextran in tuning the surface area, porosity, and morphology of WO3.
- To evaluate the performance of mesoporous WO3 as an interfacial cathode buffer layer (CBL) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and perovskite solar cells (PSCs).
Main Methods:
- Dextran-templating hydrothermal synthesis of monoclinic WO3.
- Characterization of WO3 using techniques such as photoluminescence and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
- Integration of mesoporous WO3 as a CBL in DSSCs and PSCs.
- Performance evaluation using electrochemical impedance and incident photon to current conversion efficiency (IPCE) studies.
Main Results:
- Monoclinic WO3 with a high specific surface area (∼110 m²/g) and a monomodal pore distribution (average pore diameter ∼20 nm) was successfully synthesized.
- Oxygen vacancies were identified in the substoichiometric WO3, creating localized defect states.
- The WO3 CBL significantly enhanced the photoconversion efficiency of DSSCs by ∼48% and PSCs by ∼29%.
- Improved electron mobility and higher short-circuit current were observed due to the high surface area and rapid electron hopping.
Conclusions:
- Dextran-templating is an effective method for producing highly mesoporous WO3 with tunable properties.
- The incorporation of WO3 as an interfacial CBL is crucial for enhancing the stability and efficiency of DSSCs and PSCs.
- This approach offers a pathway for developing advanced photoelectrochromic devices and self-powered switchable glazing for building integration.
