Co-reporter:Lei Zhang, Xuezhen Zhang, Yang Yu, Xiaoxia Xu, ... Zhang Lan
Solar Energy 2017 Volume 155(Volume 155) pp:
Publication Date(Web):1 October 2017
DOI:10.1016/j.solener.2017.07.039
•A novel and robust anti-humidity fabrication protocol is introduced.•Smooth and large crystal perovskite films are prepared in moist air condition.•The best performance device achieves a PCE of 17.37% with slight hysterisis.Due to the hygroscopic feature of methylammonium component, it is still a big challenge to prepare efficient perovskite solar cells in ambient air conditions with high relative humidity about 60–80%. In the humid air conditions, it can only obtain the network-like PbI2 films and porous perovskite films with poor surface morphology when utilizing the typical two-step method and usually used precursor solution. Because of the key role of the morphology of PbI2 films in determining the final quality of perovskite films, the first challege is to fabricate high-quality PbI2 films. Later, another challege is how to eliminate the influence of moist air when converting PbI2 films into perovskite films. For overcoming the challenges, a special additive of n-butyl amine is used to prepare full coverage and continuous PbI2 films, and then a low-hydrophilic n-butanol solvent and a novel multi-cycle short-time dipping reaction are used to successfully convert these PbI2 films into high-quality perovskite films with smooth surface and large crystal grains similar as that of the ones prepared with one-step anti-solvent method in glove box. The best performance device based on the high-quality perovskite film achieves an average power conversion efficiency (average of the forward and reverse scans) of 17.56% with slight hysterisis and good reproducibility.
Co-reporter:Xin Chen, Zhang Lan, Sheng Zhang, Jihuai Wu, Jingfang Zhang
Optics Communications 2017 Volume 395(Volume 395) pp:
Publication Date(Web):15 July 2017
DOI:10.1016/j.optcom.2016.04.050
•Photoanodes with one-dimensional TiO2 nanorods arrays are prepared to load CdS quantum dots.•The PA-LBLAR method is used to control the deposited size of CdS quantum dots on the TiO2 nanorod arrays.•The highest power conversion efficiency can attain to 2.944 % with 7 cycles of PA-LBLAR processes.High performance CdS sensitized TiO2 nanorod arrays based solar cells are fabricated by polymer-assisted layer-by-layer adsorption and reaction (PA-LBLAR) method. The PA-LBLAR method can well control the deposited size of CdS on the TiO2 nanorod arrays, which are grown on Ti foils by hydrothermal route then transferred to transparent conductive glasses. The UV–vis absorption spectra show that with the increasing deposition times, the absorption spectra of photoelectrodes increased to a broader wavelength range, which is originated by the better coverage and increased size of CdS quantum dots on the TiO2 nanorod arrays as detected by SEM and TEM images. The highest power conversion efficiency of the cells (AM 1.5 G, 100 mWcm−2) up to 2.944% can be obtained with 7 cycles of PA-LBLAR deposition of CdS sensitized layers in the photoelectrodes, which is much higher than that of the best performance of cell with 14 cycles of traditional successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction processes.
Co-reporter:Zhang Lan, Wanxia Wu, Sheng Zhang, Lanfang Que, Jihuai Wu
Ceramics International 2016 Volume 42(Issue 7) pp:8058-8065
Publication Date(Web):15 May 2016
DOI:10.1016/j.ceramint.2016.02.003
Highly ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays are synthesized and utilized in preparing front-side illuminated photoelectrodes of CdS quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). The CdS quantum dots (QDs) are adsorbed on the ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method (SILAR). Taking the advantages of high surface area and large size of ordered pores of the TiO2 nanotube arrays, the reaction solutions for SILAR processes can easily penetrate into the photoelectrodes; and the formed CdS QDs can be homogeneously dispersed on the TiO2 nanotube walls with high coverage. In order to improve photovoltaic performance of QDSSCs, the other important components including counterelectrode, polysulfide (S2−/Sx2-) electrolyte, and cycles of SILAR processes for preparing CdS QDs sensitized photoelectrodes are optimized. With thermally treated CuS counterelectrode, pure deionized water based polysulfide (S2−/Sx2-) electrolyte, and 15 cycles of SILAR processes prepared CdS QDs sensitized photoelectrode, the QDSSC can achieve the highest power conversion efficiency about 3.22% under full sunlight illumination (100 mW cm−2, AM 1.5G), which is a comparative value among the pure CdS QDs sensitized solar cells.
Co-reporter:Sheng Zhang, Zhang Lan, Jihuai Wu, Xin Chen, Caiyan Zhang
Journal of Alloys and Compounds 2016 Volume 656() pp:253-258
Publication Date(Web):25 January 2016
DOI:10.1016/j.jallcom.2015.09.242
•TiO2 quantum dots were synthesized and a crystalline blocking layer was prepared by spin coating method.•The electron recombination at FTO/polysulfide electrolyte interfaces can be reduced by TiO2 quantum dots blocking layer.•The cell with TiO2 quantum dots blocking layer showed an efficiency of 3.66% compared to that (1.99%) for reference.TiO2 quantum dots (QDs) are synthesized and used to prepare thin films as novel blocking layers (TiO2-QD-BLs) at conductive glass/TiO2 interfaces by spin coating method. The electron recombination at conductive glass/polysulfide electrolyte interfaces can be reduced significantly after the insertion of TiO2-QD-BLs in the photoelectrodes. The effects of different thickness of TiO2-QD-BLs on photovoltaic performance of CdS QDs sensitized solar cells are investigated. It is found that the cells with 641 nm thick TiO2-QD-BLs show the highest power conversion efficiency of about 3.66% under full sunlight illumination (100 mW cm−2, AM 1.5 G), which is obviously higher than that of the cells without TiO2-QD-BLs in the photoelectrodes (1.99%).
Co-reporter:Zhang Lan;Wanxia Wu;Sheng Zhang;Lanfang Que
Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry 2016 Volume 20( Issue 10) pp:2643-2650
Publication Date(Web):2016 October
DOI:10.1007/s10008-016-3263-y
High-performance dye-sensitized photoelectrodes using ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNTs) and TiO2 quantum dot blocking layers are fabricated. The free-standing TNT membranes with perfect ordered morphology are prepared by three times of anodic oxidation on Ti foils. These TNT membranes can be easily transported to conductive glasses to fabricate front-side illuminated photoelectrodes. By changing anodic oxidation duration, the thickness of TNT membranes can be controlled, which shows significant influence on the UV-Vis reflectance and absorption abilities of TNT-based photoelectrodes and further influence photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of DSSCs about 6.21 % can be obtained by using TNT membranes prepared with anodic oxidation of 3 h. For further improving photovoltaic performance of DSSCs, TiO2 quantum dot (QDs) blocking layers are inserted between conductive glasses and TNT membranes in the photoelectrodes, which show remarkable effects. The highest PCE of DSSCs with this kind of blocking layers can increase to 8.43 %, producing 35.75 % enhancement compared with that of the counterparts without TiO2 QD blocking layers.
Co-reporter:Zhang Lan;Lanfang Que;Wanxia Wu;Jihuai Wu
Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry 2016 Volume 20( Issue 3) pp:759-766
Publication Date(Web):2016 March
DOI:10.1007/s10008-015-3103-5
High-performance counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are fabricated with platinum-nickel oxide (Pt-NiO) nanosheets as catalytic materials. Firstly, the Pt-Ni nanosheets are synthesized via galvanic replacement reaction between pre-synthesized Ni nanosheets and an aqueous H2PtCl6 solution. Secondly, after thermal treatment in air, the Pt-Ni alloys are turned to Pt-NiO nanosheets. The related data of cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Tafel polarization reveal that Pt-NiO counter electrodes show highly catalytic activity and low charge transfer resistance. The DSSC with Pt-NiO counter electrode exhibits power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.40 %, which is lower than that of the DSSC containing commercial available Pt counter electrode (9.15 %) under full sunlight illumination (100 mW cm−2, AM1.5G). However, owing to the extremely high transparency of Pt-NiO counter electrode, when putting an Ag mirror behind the back side of the DSSC, the reflected light can bring great enhanced PCE (11.27 %).
Co-reporter:Zhang Lan;Suwen Gao;Jihuai Wu ;Jianming Lin
Journal of Applied Polymer Science 2015 Volume 132( Issue 41) pp:
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/app.42648
ABSTRACT
Four kinds of counter electrodes are prepared with polystyrene-sulfonate doped poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT-PSS) as basic material, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets as additives and H2SO4 as treating agent. The cyclic voltammetry and Tafel polarization are measured to evaluate catalytic activity of these counter electrodes for /I− redox couple. It is found that H2SO4 treated rGO and PEDOT-PSS hybrid counter electrode (S/rGO/PEDOT-PSS counter electrode) has the highest catalytic activity among these counter electrodes. Power conversion efficiency of the dye-sensitized solar cell with S/rGO/PEDOT-PSS counter electrode can attain to 7.065%, distinctly higher than that of the cells with the other three ones, owing to the great enhanced fill factor and short-circuit current density. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42648.
Co-reporter:Lanfang Que, Zhang Lan, Wanxia Wu, Jihuai Wu, Jianming Lin, Miaoliang Huang
Journal of Power Sources 2014 Volume 266() pp:440-447
Publication Date(Web):15 November 2014
DOI:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2014.05.022
•3D networks of single crystalline TiO2 nanowire membranes were grown on Ti foils.•Self-standing TiO2 nanowire membranes were used to fabricate front-side photoanodes.•The highest power conversion efficiency of DSCs could attain to 8.05%.High-efficiency dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) based on 3D networks of ultra-long single crystalline TiO2 nanowires are fabricated. By hydrothermal reaction of Ti foils in alkali aqueous solution, following ion exchange and high temperature sintering processes, the ultra-long single crystalline TiO2 nanowires can be prepared. Due to long enough of the TiO2 nanowires, they not only form 1D arrays perpendicular to Ti foils, but also extend to form 3D network structure on the top-side of the arrays. By optimizing the hydrothermal duration at 24 h, the formed TiO2 nanowire membrane based front-side illuminated photoanode shows enhanced dye-loading and light scattering abilities and excellent charge transport properties. So the DSC with this photoanode can attain to the highest power conversion efficiency about 8.05%.
Co-reporter:Zhang Lan;Jihuai Wu;Suwen Gao;Jianming Lin;Miaoliang Huang ;Xiaomin Chen
Polymers for Advanced Technologies 2014 Volume 25( Issue 3) pp:343-346
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/pat.3246
Polyaniline (PAn) nanobelts were synthesized by simply mixing aniline and hydrochloric acid aqueous solution with ammonium peroxydisulfate and hydrochloric acid aqueous solution at room temperature without any templates. The PAn nanobelt paste with polytetrafluoroethylene as binder is proper for low-cost and efficient casting processes such as doctor blade method, screen printing, spin-casting, and even roll-to-roll painting. The porous network structure of the PAn nanobelt counter electrode was obtained after drying the paste on the conductive glass. The as-prepared PAn nanobelt counter electrode showed nearly equivalent electrochemical catalytic activity as that of thermal decomposed Pt counter electrode, owing to the well-connected conductive network and high active surface area. The power conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell with PAn nanobelt counter electrode attained 90% of the value of the cell with Pt counter electrode. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Co-reporter:Suwen Gao;Wanxia Wu;Lanfang Que;Jihuai Wu;Jianming Lin
Polymers for Advanced Technologies 2014 Volume 25( Issue 12) pp:1560-1564
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/pat.3402
Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) counter electrode is prepared with in situ polymerization of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene on a fluorine-doped tin oxide over-layer glass at room temperature. The cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Tafel polarization are measured to evaluate the catalytic activity of PEDOT counter electrode for I3−/I− redox couple. Comparing the data with that of traditional thermal decomposed Pt counter electrode, it is found that PEDOT has higher catalytic activity than that of Pt counterpart. Power conversion efficiency of the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) with PEDOT counter electrode can attain to 7.713%, a little higher than that of the cell with Pt counter electrode (7.300%). Taking the advantage of high transparency of PEDOT counter electrode, an Ag mirror is put on the back side of PEDOT counter electrode of the DSC to reflect light back for power conversion. Power conversion efficiency of the DSC with this special structure can be further enhanced to 8.359%, which mainly stems from the improved short-circuit current density by the increased irradiated light intensity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Co-reporter:Zhang Lan;JiHuai Wu;JianMing Lin;MiaoLiang Huang
Science China Chemistry 2014 Volume 57( Issue 6) pp:888-894
Publication Date(Web):2014 June
DOI:10.1007/s11426-013-5052-0
A new kind of photoactive electrodes with nanocrystalline TiO2 (nano-TiO2) secondary structure is successfully prepared via a simple method of adding a small amount of TiCl4 2-propanol solution in conventional nano-TiO2 paste to form micro-sized nano-TiO2 aggregates. The benefits of this special structure include improved optical absorption, increased light scattering ability, and enhanced electron transport and collection efficiency. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) based on these photoactive electrodes show improved performance. The power conversion efficiency of the cells can be increased from 5.03% to 7.30% by substituting 6 μm conventional nano-TiO2 thin film with the same thickness of as-prepared nano-TiO2 aggregates film in the photoactive electrodes. A higher power conversion efficiency of the cells can be obtained by further increasing the thickness of the nano-TiO2 aggregates film.
Co-reporter:Zhang Lan, Xiaoping Zhang, Jihuai Wu, Jianming Lin, Miaoliang Huang, Huang Zhao
Electrochimica Acta 2013 Volume 108() pp:337-342
Publication Date(Web):1 October 2013
DOI:10.1016/j.electacta.2013.06.121
A novel photoelectrochemical solar cell was prepared by combining a Sb2S3-sensitized photoactive electrode, polyaniline nanobelts and a Pt counter electrode to form sandwich structure. The incident photo-to-current conversion efficiency measurement found that the cell without any sensitizers just showed a very narrow photo-response wavelength region from 300 nm to 400 nm, while the Sb2S3-sensitized cell showed a broad photo-response wavelength region from 275 nm to 600 nm and much higher efficiency in converting ultraviolet light to electricity than in converting visible light. By optimizing chemical bath deposition duration of 2.5 h, the cell showed high photovoltaic performance with 6.92 mA cm−2 short-circuit current density, 1.098 V open-circuit voltage, 0.497 fill factor, and 3.78% power conversion efficiency, being greatly enhanced compared with that of the cell without any sensitizers (1.09 mA cm−2, 0.866 V, 0.477, 0.45%).
Co-reporter:Zhang Lan, Jihuai Wu, Jianming Lin and Miaoliang Huang
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2012 vol. 22(Issue 9) pp:3948-3954
Publication Date(Web):25 Jan 2012
DOI:10.1039/C2JM15019K
The thermal decomposition method is usually used for fabricating Pt counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The limitation of the method is its little control over the Pt particle size, agglomeration of the Pt particles on the conductive substrate and poor uniformity of the Pt counter electrodes. Herein, homogeneously dispersed Pt particles on FTO conductive glasses were prepared with an improved thermal decomposition method through adding a small amount of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) in the Pt precursor solution. The different additional amounts of PVP in the Pt precursor solution could influence the morphologies of the Pt counter electrodes, which further influenced the catalytic activity of the Pt counter electrodes and the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs. An enhanced energy conversion efficiency of the DSSC of about 8.394% was obtained when the Pt counter electrode was prepared with the additional weight amount of PVP 3.5 times that of H2PtCl6·6H2O in the Pt precursor solution, obviously higher than the original 7.062% value of the DSSC with the Pt counter electrode prepared by the traditional unmodified thermal decomposition method on the same loaded low weight of 3.765 μg cm−2.
Co-reporter:Zhang Lan, Jihuai Wu, Jianming Lin, Miaoliang Huang
Electrochimica Acta 2012 60() pp: 17-22
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1016/j.electacta.2011.10.075
Co-reporter:Zhang Lan;JiHuai Wu;JianMing Lin;MiaoLiang Huang
Science China Chemistry 2012 Volume 55( Issue 7) pp:1308-1313
Publication Date(Web):2012 July
DOI:10.1007/s11426-012-4638-2
A simple method for the controllable hydrothermal synthesis of nanocrystalline anatase TiO2 (nc-TiO2) particles involving the selection of suitable organic alkali peptizing agents is reported. A dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) with square-like nc-TiO2 particles with side lengths about 8–13 nm—prepared using tetraethylammonium hydroxide (TEAOH)—in the photoelectrode showed higher photovoltaic performance than two other DSSCs with square-like nc-TiO2 particles with side lengths about 7–10 nm—prepared using tetrabutylammonium hydroxide—or elongated nc-TiO2 particles with lengths about 18–35 nm and width about 10–18 nm—prepared using tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH)—in the photoelectrodes. When a scattering layer prepared from sub-micron size spheres or cone-like nc-TiO2 particles—synthesized using a higher concentration of TMAOH—was added on top of the photoelectrode fabricated from nc-TiO2 synthesized with TEAOH, the energy conversion efficiency of the DSSC was markedly increased from 6.77% to 8.18%.
Co-reporter:Zhang Lan, Jihuai Wu, Jianming Lin, Miaoliang Huang, Xiaoxi Wang
Thin Solid Films 2012 Volume 522() pp:425-429
Publication Date(Web):1 November 2012
DOI:10.1016/j.tsf.2012.08.017
This article presents the fabrication of a homogeneous mirror-like Pt-counter electrodes and its utilization in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The homogeneous Pt-counter electrodes were fabricated through modified thermal decomposition method by adding a suitable amount of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) in a high concentration of Pt precursor solution. The micro-morphology of prepared Pt-counter electrodes was compared with those prepared by traditional thermal decomposition and electrochemical deposition methods. The different preparation methods showed obvious influence on the micro-morphologies of Pt-counter electrodes, which further influence the catalytic activity for iodide/tri-iodide redox reaction and hence the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs. A remarkable enhancement in the photovoltaic performance of the DSSCs was achieved by the application of the prepared Pt-counter electrodes through the modified thermal decomposition method. Moreover, an obvious improvement in the reflectance properties of the prepared Pt-counter electrodes was observed, which plays an important contribution in the enhancement of the photovoltaic performance of the DSSCs.Highlights► Pt mirror counter electrodes were prepared for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). ► The catalytic activity was influenced by the micro-morphology of Pt counter electrode. ► An improved DSSC performance was obtained with high reflectance Pt counter electrode.
Co-reporter:Zhang Lan;JiHuai Wu;JianMing Lin;MiaoLiang Huang
Science China Chemistry 2012 Volume 55( Issue 2) pp:242-246
Publication Date(Web):2012 February
DOI:10.1007/s11426-011-4393-9
A new kind of gel electrolyte containing only organic solvents and an iodide salt—namely 3-methoxypropionitrile (MPN), aniline and AlI3—has been prepared. Gel formation results from the Lewis acid-base interaction between the Lewis acid ionic conductor AlI3 and the Lewis base organic solvent aniline and no additional gelling agent is required. The AlI3-aniline complex acts both as an ionic conductor and as a gelling agent. The differences between the peaks characteristic of the —NH2 group and aromatic ring in the FTIR spectra of free aniline and the AlI3-aniline hybrid confirm the formation of the AlI3-aniline complex. The photovoltaic performance and long-term stability of dye-sensitized solar cells can be greatly enhanced by the addition of aniline to the AlI3-MPN liquid electrolyte.
Co-reporter:Zhang Lan, Jihuai Wu, Jianming Lin and Miaoliang Huang
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2011 vol. 21(Issue 39) pp:15552-15557
Publication Date(Web):26 Aug 2011
DOI:10.1039/C1JM12812D
A bifunctional nanocrystal TiO2 structure able to offer both light scattering and electron generating properties was prepared by a simple method of adding a basic NH3·H2O agent to an acidic nanocrystal TiO2 paste to form bigger TiO2 nanocrystal aggregates. When used to prepare the second nanocrystal TiO2 layer in the photoelectrode, the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs were obviously enhanced, and the highest energy conversion efficiency attainable was 8.11%, which is much higher than that of a DSSC containing a single nanocrystal TiO2 layer prepared using the original acidic TiO2 paste (4.34%).
Co-reporter:Zhang Lan, Jihuai Wu, Jianming Lin, Miaoliang Huang
Electrochimica Acta 2011 Volume 56(Issue 27) pp:9926-9930
Publication Date(Web):30 November 2011
DOI:10.1016/j.electacta.2011.08.073
A bi-functional nanocrystalline TiO2 (nc-TiO2) layer able to offer both light-scattering and electron generating properties was prepared with a simple method through adding the basic NH3·H2O agent into an acid nc-TiO2 paste to form some big rod-like nc-TiO2 aggregates by the chemical sintering process. The influence of additional amount of NH3·H2O on the photovoltaic performance of the dye-sensitized solar cell with this bi-functional nc-TiO2 layer in the photoelectrode was studied. It was found that through controlling the additional amount of NH3·H2O and the thickness of the bi-functional nc-TiO2 layer, the highest energy conversion efficiency about 8.11% could be obtained, which was much higher than that of the dye-sensitized solar cell containing a single nc-TiO2 layer prepared with the original acid nc-TiO2 paste (4.34%).Graphical abstractChemical sintered bi-functional nanocrystalline TiO2 layers for highly efficient photoelectrodes.Highlights► A chemical sintered bi-functional nanocrystalline TiO2 layer was prepared. ► The nanocrystalline TiO2 layer can offer both light-scattering and electron generating properties. ► The DSSC with this nanocrystalline TiO2 layer in the photoelectrode shows obviously enhanced photovoltaic performance. ► The influence of additional amount of NH3·H2O chemical sintering agent on the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs was studied.
Co-reporter:Zhang Lan;JiHuai Wu;JianMing Lin;MiaoLiang Huang
Science China Chemistry 2010 Volume 53( Issue 6) pp:1352-1357
Publication Date(Web):2010 June
DOI:10.1007/s11426-010-3204-z
N-cetylpyridinium iodide (N-CPI) as a new electric additive for enhancing photovoltaic performance of the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) was studied. It showed high efficiency for enhancing both the open-circuit voltage and the short-circuit current density of DSSC when the suitable amount of N-CPI as 0.02 M was added in liquid electrolyte. The energy conversion efficiency of DSSC increased from 4.429% to 6.535%, with 47.55% enhancement. Therefore, it is a highly efficient electric additive for DSSC. The intrinsic reason is owing to the special molecular structure of N-CPI, which contains two different polarity groups. As a surfactant, N-CPI could form ordered arrangement in liquid electrolyte, which affects the diffusing ability and the redox reaction of I−/I3−, and further affects the photovoltaic performance of DSSC.
Co-reporter:Zhang Lan;Jihuai Wu;Jianming Lin
Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics 2010 Volume 21( Issue 10) pp:1000-1004
Publication Date(Web):2010 October
DOI:10.1007/s10854-010-0083-1
The super-porous TiO2 film is prepared with the block copolymer Pluronic F-127 as porous template. Comparing with the commonly used meso-porous TiO2 film prepared with Polyethylene glycol 20,000 as pore former, the super-porous TiO2 film shows higher photovoltaic performance when integrated it into polymer gel electrolyte based quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell (QS-DSSC). The enhanced dye adsorption, light scattering properties of the super-porous TiO2 film improve the utilization efficiency of sun light to be converted to electricity. Moreover, the special microstructures of the super-porous TiO2 film also makes for the deep penetration of polymer gel electrolyte into the dye-coated TiO2 film, which is the prerequisite for highly photovoltaic performance of polymer gel electrolyte-based dye-sensitized solar cell. So it presents a feasible way to enhance the photovoltaic performance of QS-DSSC.
Co-reporter:Zhang Lan, Jihuai Wu, Jianming Lin and Miaoliang Huang
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2011 - vol. 21(Issue 39) pp:NaN15557-15557
Publication Date(Web):2011/08/26
DOI:10.1039/C1JM12812D
A bifunctional nanocrystal TiO2 structure able to offer both light scattering and electron generating properties was prepared by a simple method of adding a basic NH3·H2O agent to an acidic nanocrystal TiO2 paste to form bigger TiO2 nanocrystal aggregates. When used to prepare the second nanocrystal TiO2 layer in the photoelectrode, the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs were obviously enhanced, and the highest energy conversion efficiency attainable was 8.11%, which is much higher than that of a DSSC containing a single nanocrystal TiO2 layer prepared using the original acidic TiO2 paste (4.34%).
Co-reporter:Zhang Lan, Jihuai Wu, Jianming Lin and Miaoliang Huang
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2012 - vol. 22(Issue 9) pp:NaN3954-3954
Publication Date(Web):2012/01/25
DOI:10.1039/C2JM15019K
The thermal decomposition method is usually used for fabricating Pt counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The limitation of the method is its little control over the Pt particle size, agglomeration of the Pt particles on the conductive substrate and poor uniformity of the Pt counter electrodes. Herein, homogeneously dispersed Pt particles on FTO conductive glasses were prepared with an improved thermal decomposition method through adding a small amount of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) in the Pt precursor solution. The different additional amounts of PVP in the Pt precursor solution could influence the morphologies of the Pt counter electrodes, which further influenced the catalytic activity of the Pt counter electrodes and the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs. An enhanced energy conversion efficiency of the DSSC of about 8.394% was obtained when the Pt counter electrode was prepared with the additional weight amount of PVP 3.5 times that of H2PtCl6·6H2O in the Pt precursor solution, obviously higher than the original 7.062% value of the DSSC with the Pt counter electrode prepared by the traditional unmodified thermal decomposition method on the same loaded low weight of 3.765 μg cm−2.
