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Integrating a Triplet-triplet Annihilation Up-conversion System to Enhance Dye-sensitized Solar Cell Response to Sub-bandgap Light
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Harnessing Sunlight via Molecular Photon Upconversion.

Drake Beery1, Timothy W Schmidt2, Kenneth Hanson1

  • 1Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306, United States.

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Summary

Molecular photon upconversion using triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA-UC) offers a path beyond the Shockley-Queisser limit for solar cells. This perspective reviews TTA-UC progress, challenges, and strategies for achieving significant photocurrent contributions.

Keywords:
photocurrentphoton upconversionquantum yieldsolar cellstriplet−triplet annihilation

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Renewable Energy
  • Photochemistry

Background:

  • Molecular photon upconversion via triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA-UC) is a promising approach for enhancing solar energy conversion efficiency.
  • Harnessing sub-bandgap photons can potentially overcome the theoretical Shockley-Queisser limit for photovoltaic devices.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current progress of TTA-UC in solar cells, encompassing both optically and electrically coupled systems.
  • To identify key efficiency-limiting factors in TTA-UC solar cells.
  • To outline future research directions for achieving substantial upconverted photocurrents.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on TTA-UC solar cell architectures.
  • Analysis of efficiency limitations in optically and electrically coupled TTA-UC schemes.
  • Identification of critical parameters for improving TTA-UC performance.

Main Results:

  • TTA-UC solar cells have demonstrated potential for harnessing sub-bandgap photons.
  • Key limitations include spectral mismatch, triplet-triplet annihilation efficiency, and charge extraction.
  • Strategies for >1 mA/cm² photocurrent contributions are discussed.

Conclusions:

  • Significant advancements are needed in red-shifted absorption, light harvesting integration, and molecular design for TTA-UC solar cells.
  • Overcoming current limitations is crucial for realizing TTA-UC solar cells that surpass the Shockley-Queisser limit.
  • Further research in photon management and sensitizer/annihilator design is essential.