Tuning flat band potential of TiO2 using an electrolyte additive to enhance open circuit voltage and minimize current loss in dye sensitized solar cells. (10th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gondane, Vivekanand; Bhargava, Parag
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 209(2016)
• Page Start: 293
• Page End: 298
• Publication Date: 2016-08-10
• Subjects: flat band potential -- additives in electrolyte -- TiO2/dye/electrolyte interface -- dye sensitized solar cells; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2016.05.079
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: We report 8-Hydroxyquinoline(8-HQ) as an alternative electrolyte additive to volatile TBP. 8-HQ resulted in favourable energetic alignment at the TiO2 /dye/electrolyte interface. 8-HQ is effective to minimize the current loss concomitantly enhancement in Voc . 8-HQ is found to be effective partly addressing the Jsc -Voc trade-off problem. Abstract: Electrolyte is an important component of dye sensitised solar cells (DSSC). Its composition, in particular, additives controls the energetic at the TiO2 /dye/electrolyte interface, influencing the performance of dye solar cell. We report here for the first time the use of 8-Hydroxyquinoline (8HQ) as an electrolyte additive to replace costly, volatile 4-tert-butyl pyridine (TBP). Due to its unique structural feature containing hydroxyl and amine group, 8HQ results in remarkable difference in the energy band alignment at the TiO2 /dye/electrolyte interface with respect to that of TBP, as revealed by photocurrent density and Mott-Schottky analysis. Apart from this band shift, 8HQ is very effective in suppressing back electron transfer resulting in enhancement in open circuit voltage. Compared to TBP, additive 8HQ resulted in ∼22% increase in Jsc, with minor loss in Voc (∼5.8%) and 15% increase in photoconversion efficiency with N3 dye. Overall, we found that 8HQ is a highly effective additive in tailoring the TiO2 /dye/electrolyte interface which results in superior performance of dye sensitized solar solar cells as compared to cells with TBP as the additive.