Can dye-sensitized solar cells generate electricity in the dark?. (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tang, Qunwei; Wang, Jing; He, Benlin; Yang, Peizhi
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 33(2017:Mar.)
• Page Start: 266
• Page End: 271
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: All-weather solar cell -- Photoanode -- Charge transfer -- Energy conversion; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Power resources -- Technological innovations; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2017.01.047
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: Energy harvest requirements for future photovoltaic devices include high efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and persistent power-generation in all weathers. To address this issue, we present here all-weather dye-sensitized solar cells that can generate electricity in the daytime and in the dark by incorporating long persistence phosphors (LPPs) into mesoscopic TiO2 ( m -TiO2 ) photoanodes. When suffered simulated sunlight (air mass 1.5, 100 mW cm −2 ) illumination, the all-weather solar cell having fluorescent-emitting m -TiO2 /LPP photoanode yields a maximal photoelectric conversion efficiency of 10.08%. The unabsorbed red and infrared light across dye-sensitized m -TiO2 layer is stored in LPP phosphors, and is subsequently converted into monochromatic fluorescence for persistent dye illumination at dark conditions, yielding a maximized photoelectric conversion efficiency up to 26.69% as well as duration lasting for several hours. Graphical abstract: Dye-sensitized solar cells that can generate electricity in the daytime and dark are fabricated by combining long persistence phosphors with mesoscopic TiO2 photoanodes. Highlights: All-weather dye-sensitized solar cells are realized. Long persistence phosphors are used to store solar energy and release at dark. A photoelectric conversion efficiency at dark is as high as 26.69%. The all-weather solar cells are promising for future power generation devices.