Efficient monolithic dye sensitized solar cells with eco-friendly silica-titania spacer layers. (1st May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Santos, Fátima; Hora, Carolina; Bernardo, Gabriel; Ivanou, Dzmitry; Mendes, Adélio
• Is Part Of: Solar energy. Volume 183(2019)
• Page Start: 419
• Page End: 424
• Publication Date: 2019-05-01
• Subjects: Monolithic -- Dye Sensitized Solar Cells -- Space layer -- Silica paste -- Light scattering -- Sensitization; Solar energy -- Periodicals; Solar engines -- Periodicals; 621.47
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2019.03.056
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-092X

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: SiO2 -TiO2 electrical spacer layers for efficient monolithic DSSCs were developed. Pastes for electrical spacers layer derived from entirely water-based formulations. Boost of spacer layer reflectance occurs at threshold TiO2 content of 30 wt%. Monolithic DSSCs with power conversion efficiency of 8.3% were produced. Abstract: Monolithic assembly of dye-sensitized solar cells (M−DSSCs) is technologically attractive due to its ease of fabrication, compactness and lower production cost. However, combining cost-effective materials with high power conversion efficiency in M−DSSCs is still a challenging task. New silica–based spacer layers for M−DSSCs, derived from entirely water-based paste formulation were developed. A commercial aqueous suspension of SiO2 nanoparticles (LUDOX-40), modified with hydroxypropyl cellulose as a binder, were used for formulating the silica paste. The reflectance of the spacer layers was tuned by adding anatase nanoparticles; when 30 wt% of titania was added to the SiO2 -TiO2 composite, a sharp increase of the reflectivity of the spacer layers was observed rendering a device with the highest to date reported power conversion efficiency of 8.3% and full stability. The effect of titania concentration in the SiO2 spacer layer on the photovoltaic performance, the spectral response of the photocurrent and recombination in M−DSSCs is discussed.