The Role of Order in the Amplification of Light‐Energy Conversion in a Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cell Coupled to a Photonic Crystal. Issue 2 (8th December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fayad, Remi; Halaoui, Lara
• Is Part Of: Chemphyschem. Volume 17:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 260
• Page End: 269
• Publication Date: 2015-12-08
• Subjects: dye-sensitized solar cells -- energy conversion -- light trapping -- photonic crystals -- photonic glass; Chemistry, Physical and theoretical -- Periodicals; 541.05
• DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201500942
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1439-4235

Abstract

Abstract: We investigate the cause of amplification of light‐energy conversion when coupling a nc‐TiO2 film to a TiO2 inverse opal by comparing it to an inverse TiO2 glass (i‐TiO2 ‐g) fabricated with the exact monodisperse air–hole size as an inverse opal with a stop band at 600 nm (600‐i‐TiO2 ‐o). A significant twofold average gain in the photon‐to‐current conversion efficiency is measured to the red of the stop band at the 600‐i‐TiO2 ‐o/nc‐TiO2 bilayer under front‐wall and back‐wall illumination, greater than the gain within the stop band. A smaller amplification is measured under front‐wall illumination—and no gain is measured under back‐wall illumination—for i‐TiO2 ‐g/nc‐TiO2 at these energies. The photonic crystal therefore causes trapping of light through the bilayer, not only within the gap but also to the red, at frequencies within its dielectric band. This light‐trapping effect is found to be dependent on structural order, as a highly disordered inverse glass film with the same air–hole size and thickness does not yield the same gain. A drop in the transmission of light is measured within the same frequencies to the red of the stop band upon adding nc‐TiO2 to 600‐i‐TiO2 ‐o, consistent with light trapping in the bilayer. Abstract : The amplification of solar energy conversion when a dye‐sensitized nanocrystalline titania film is coupled to an inverse opal is studied. The gain is found to be dependent on structural order.