Parametric optimization of back-contact T-C-O-free dye-sensitized solar cells employing indoline and porphyrin sensitizer based on cobalt redox electrolyte. (15th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Molla, Md. Zaman; Baranwal, Ajay Kumar; Kapil, Gaurav; Hayase, Shuzi; Pandey, Shyam S.
• Is Part Of: Solar energy. Volume 208(2020)
• Page Start: 411
• Page End: 418
• Publication Date: 2020-09-15
• Subjects: T-C-O-free -- Back-contact -- Back-electron reaction -- Nanoporous -- Cobalt electrolyte -- Dye-sensitized solar cells; Solar energy -- Periodicals; Solar engines -- Periodicals; 621.47
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2020.08.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-092X

Abstract

Highlights: Flexible SUS-mesh with optimally protected Ti metal was proved to be an efficient photoanode. The interfacial contact between the nanoporous TiO2 and flexible photoanode was found to influence the device performance. TiO2 with relatively larger particle size provided facile charge transport. Abstract: Transparent-conductive-oxide-free (T-C-O-free) back-contact (B-C) dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) utilizing flexible Stainless Steel (SS) mesh (SS-mesh) supported with mesoporous TiO2 as a photoanode employing cobalt electrolyte is being presented. A thin layer of Ti metal over the SS-mesh was ascertained to be essential to retard the back electron reaction, which was confirmed by the dark current measurements. The interfacial contact between the SS-mesh and nanoporous (NP) TiO2 of the photoanode of T-C-O-free B-C-DSC was driven to influence the photovoltaic performance greatly. It was confirmed by electrochemical impedance analysis that NP TiO2 of 30 nm exhibited less charge transfer impedance observed at TiO2 -dye-electrolyte interface as compared to TiO2 of having particle size of 15–20 nm. T-C-O-free B-C-DSC employing dye mixer combination of indoline dyes D-131 and D-205 (1:1) with relatively larger NP of TiO2 (30 nm) as compared to TiO2 of 15–20 nm exhibited enhanced photoconversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.02%. To increase the PCE even further, T-C-O-free B-C-DSC with cobalt based electrolyte sensitized with porphyrin (YD2-o-C8)-dye bearing a larger optical window was investigated. An optimized 10 µm thickness of the TiO2 layer was found to be optimum leading to an enhanced PCE of 5.26%.