Efficient azobenzene co-sensitizer for wide spectral absorption of dye-sensitized solar cells. Issue 12 (7th February 2018) - Zhang, L. Y.
Abstract : The combination of two azobenzene dyes leads to a wide spectral absorption and overall light conversion efficiency of 7.1%. Abstract : Two azobenzene dyes, [Cu(azobenzene-4, 4′-dicarboxylate) diethylenediamine] n (ADD ), [Cd(4, 4′-diazenediyldibenzoato)(H2 O)] n (DDB ), have been designed, synthesized, and characterized as efficient co-sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). The optical, charge-transfer, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties ofADD andDDB are investigated by UV-visible spectroscopy, transient surface photovoltage measurement, cyclic voltammetry, and photocurrent–photovoltage measurement. The combination ofADD andDDB in DSSC leads to a wide spectral absorption over the whole visible range (350–700 nm). DSSC withADD andDDB exhibits a short-circuit photocurrent density as high as 16.96 mA cm −2, open-circuit photovoltage of 0.73 V, a fill factor of 0.57, and overall light conversion efficiency of 7.1% under standard global AM1.5 solar irradiation conditions.