Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ana Belen Munoz-Garcia, Iacopo Benesperi, Gerrit Boschloo, Javier J. Concepcion, Jared H. Delcamp, Elizabeth A. Gibson, Gerald J. Meyer, Michele Pavone, Henrik Pettersson, Anders Hagfeldt, Marina Freitag
Summary: Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) and dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells (DSPECs) have seen a revival in recent years as they offer unique properties such as low cost, non-toxic materials, colorfulness, transparency, and efficiency in low light conditions. This review covers advancements in DSC technology over the past decade, including theoretical studies, characterization techniques, materials, applications, and commercialization efforts by various companies.
CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Carolina Hora, Fatima Santos, Maria Goreti Ferreira Sales, Dzmitry Ivanou, Adelio Miguel Mendes
Summary: This study investigates the optimization of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) for indoor applications and explores the impact of various factors on charge transfer, recombination, and photovoltaic response. The optimized DSSCs demonstrate great potential as efficient indoor photovoltaics and back-illuminated devices.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Agata Zdyb, Ewelina Krawczak
Summary: Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated using different dyes and tested under simulated solar light, showing significant improvement in cell efficiency with the implementation of a back reflector layer made of BaSO4. Adsorption of dyes on mesoporous TiO2 layer resulted in broadening of absorption range, making all three dyes good candidates for light harvesters in DSSCs. HOMO and LUMO levels of the dye molecules were determined, further confirming their suitability in DSSCs.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Fengjuan Miao, Fuchen Chu, Bingcheng Sun, Bairui Tao, Peng Zhang, Yu Zang, Paul K. Chu
Summary: This study presents the design and fabrication of a photoanode composed of Au/SnS/TiO2 sensitized with natural dye for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). By calcination, a layer of spherical nano-TiO2 is prepared, and a layer of nano-SnS is deposited on the TiO2 photoanode using the continuous ion layer adsorption reaction (SILAR). The sensitized Au nanoparticles exhibit enhanced localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effects and electron trapping ability, resulting in improved electron mobility and reduced electron recombination in the DSSC.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chaoqiang Liao, Kaiwen Zeng, Hanlun Wu, Qingliang Zeng, Hao Tang, Lingyun Wang, Herbert Meier, Yongshu Xie, Derong Cao
Summary: The use of pillar[5]arene dyes can enhance the open-circuit voltage of DSSCs, while also inhibiting dye aggregation and charge recombination, leading to improved performance. Additionally, host-guest interactions with the electrolyte can further adjust the voltage and photocurrent of the DSSCs.
CELL REPORTS PHYSICAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Sabine Josten, Tillmann Koehler, Frank Marlow
Summary: Light-weight dye-sensitized solar cells were successfully fabricated on stainless steel meshes made of different materials, showing a voltage shift and hysteresis in the J-V characteristics. A large capacitance of 171 mu F/cm2 was found to describe this effect, with only small differences identified between the stainless steel types used for the mesh.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Yanfang Tan, Dong Fang, Na Cheng, Fengming Xiong, Wei Ding, Baoxiu Mi, Zhiqiang Gao
Summary: Nanoparticles of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) were synthesized by thermal injection method and then prepared into CZTS films using electrospray (ES) method for dyesensitized solar cell (DSSC) devices as counter electrode (CE). The reaction was complete after 3 hours, and crystallinity increased with reaction time. However, CZTS powder with large grain sizes was difficult to disperse for ES processing.
MATERIALS SCIENCE IN SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSING
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Garima Dwivedi, Guncha Munjal, Ashok N. Bhaskarwar, Amita Chaudhary
Summary: This paper reviews the feasibility of using polyaniline and its composites as a counter-electrode catalyst in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), as well as its applications as a hole conductor and catalyst for photosensitized electrolytes. It also discusses the efficiency of polyaniline-based solar cells and the recent advances in using it as a suitable replacement for platinum.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Bandana Ranamagar, Isaac Abiye, Fasil Abebe
Summary: The Rhodamine-6G derivative Rhd and its metal complexes with aluminum and chromium ions were synthesized and characterized using UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated with Rhd and the metal complexes, and their solar-to-electric power efficiencies were determined through current-density measurements and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). The Rhd and Cr3+-sensitized solar cell showed the highest solar to electric power efficiency at 0.16%.
Review
Polymer Science
Yiyun Luo, Li Yang, Jinbao Zhang
Summary: Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) are a promising alternative photovoltaic technology with low cost and high performance for indoor applications. Solid-state DSCs (ssDSCs) have been developed to address the problems of electrolyte leakage and electrode corrosion. However, the power conversion efficiency of ssDSCs is generally lower than traditional liquid DSCs. To overcome these limitations, the authors have developed an in situ photoelectrochemical polymerization (PEP) approach to synthesize polymer hole transport materials (HTMs) in the porous electrodes, enhancing pore infiltration fraction and conductivity. This review provides a comprehensive overview of material engineering and interfacial optimization for ssDSCs, as well as recent advances in PEP and its impact on device performance.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Nicola Sangiorgi, Riccardo Bendoni, Alex Sangiorgi, Lucrezia Aversa, Roberta Tatti, Roberto Verucchi, Alessio Adamiano, Monica Sandri, Anna Tampieri, Alessandra Sanson
Summary: The study investigates the use of titanium-doped hydroxyapatite (TiHA) as a photoanode material for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells, with characterization of TiHA powders with varying titanium content. Results show high compatibility of TiHA with ruthenium-based dye molecules, and the highest efficiency was achieved with 15 wt% titanium-doped TiHA.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Anees A. Ansari, M. K. Nazeeruddin, Mohammad Mahdi Tavakoli
Summary: The article discusses the application of UCNPs in DSSCs, including energy transfer, morphology, crystal structure, coupling, and ways to increase photovoltaic current. The factors influencing emission efficiency and photovoltaic current are also explained. Additionally, it is proposed that UCNPs and their surface functionalities significantly enhance photovoltaic current, offering a beneficial guide for the use of lanthanide-doped UCNPs in material synthesis and optoelectronic system construction.
COORDINATION CHEMISTRY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Aycan Atli, Abdullah Yildiz
Summary: An opaque platinum film as a counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells demonstrates enhanced reflectivity, smaller resistance, and excellent adhesion properties. As a result, the DSSC with the opaque platinum film achieves a higher electrical power conversion efficiency compared to the transparent platinum film under the same conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sikandar Aftab, Muhammad Zahir Iqbal, Sajjad Hussain, Fahmid Kabir, Hosameldin Helmy Hegazy, Burragoni Sravanthi Goud, Muhammad Aslam, Fan Xu
Summary: This review article provides an overview of MXene-modified electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). MXenes, a type of two-dimensional transition metal carbides or nitrides, have remarkable properties that enhance the performance of DSSC electrodes. The article analyzes the use of MXenes integrated with other materials for electrode modification in photovoltaics, and discusses the impact of different deposition techniques on performance. MXene-modified electrodes have the potential to improve the performance and efficiency of DSSCs, making them a promising material for renewable energy applications.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Qin Zhao, Cong Lai, Houcheng Zhang, Ziyang Hu
Summary: A novel hybrid system utilizing inlet sunlight, combining a solar selective absorber and a Stirling-like thermocapacitive cycle with a dye-sensitized solar cell, is proposed. The feasibility and competitiveness of this hybrid system are demonstrated through comprehensive comparisons. Numerical results show significantly improved output power density and energy efficiency compared to standalone dye-sensitized solar cells. Furthermore, parametric studies reveal the favorable and unfavorable variables that affect the performance of the hybrid system, as well as the potential for structural optimization of the nano porous TiO2 semiconductive film to enhance system performance.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kun-Mu Lee, Wei-Hao Chiu, Yu-Hsiang Tsai, Chao-Shian Wang, Yu-Tai Tao, Yan-Duo Lin
Summary: A new donor-acceptor-donor type hole-transporting material CB was synthesized and used in fully printed PSCs, achieving an impressive power conversion efficiency of up to 21.09% with improved long-term stability. The CB-based devices showed better performance compared to those using doped spiro-OMeTAD under the same conditions, demonstrating CB's potential as a promising candidate for high-performance fully printable PSCs.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Chien-Chung Hsu, Sheng-Min Yu, Kun-Mu Lee, Chuan-Jung Lin, Bo-Yi Liou, Fu-Rong Chen
Summary: In this study, a perovskite solar cell using inorganic nickel oxide as a hole transport layer is developed. The power conversion efficiency is improved by optimizing the thickness of the nickel oxide layer. The NiOx-based PSC exhibits superior performance compared to the PEDOT:PSS organic HTL-based PSC after stability testing.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Shun-Hsiang Chan, Yin-Hsuan Chang, Meng-Huan Jao, Kai-Chi Hsiao, Kun-Mu Lee, Chao-Sung Lai, Ming-Chung Wu
Summary: The presence of toxic lead in perovskite solar cells hinders their commercialization. This study investigates the effects of adding phenethylammonium chloride as an additive to improve film formation and enhance the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells.
Article
Polymer Science
Dharuman Chandrasekaran, Wei-Hao Chiu, Kun-Mu Lee, Jian-Ming Liao, Hsien-Hsin Chou, Yung-Sheng Yen
Summary: In this study, two novel organic photovoltaic materials X1 and X2 were synthesized and their photovoltaic performances were evaluated. The devices based on these materials exhibited good efficiency in perovskite solar cells.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kun-Mu Lee, Shun-Hsiang Chan, Chang-Chieh Ting, Shih-Hsuan Chen, Wei-Hao Chiu, Vembu Suryanarayanan, Jen-Fu Hsu, Ching-Yuan Liu, Ming-Chung Wu
Summary: In this study, non-ionic surfactant Tween 20 was added into the MAPbI(3) perovskite layer, and a high-quality perovskite film was fabricated using the thermal-assisted blade-coating method. Tween 20 effectively passivated defects and traps in the perovskite films, resulting in higher photoluminescence intensity and longer carrier lifetime. At the optimal concentration of 1.0 mM, the performance of the perovskite solar cell was significantly enhanced, with a champion power conversion efficiency of 18.80%.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kun-Mu Lee, Seid Yimer Abate, June Hung Yang, Wei-Hao Chiu, Seoungjun Ahn, Sie-Rong Li, Kang-Ling Liau, Yu-Tai Tao, Yan-Duo Lin
Summary: Two new spirocore-based HTMs were synthesized and used in perovskite solar cells. The experiments showed that these materials exhibited excellent thermal stability, photophysical properties, electro-chemical properties, charge-transporting abilities, and film-forming properties. The fabricated solar cells showed significantly higher power conversion efficiency compared to traditional cells, and also demonstrated better long-term stability.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shih-Hsuan Chen, Ching-Mei Ho, Yin-Hsuan Chang, Kun-Mu Lee, Ming-Chung Wu
Summary: Organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cells have great commercial potential, but the hysteresis effect is a major issue. Doping Sn into TiO2 can improve electron properties and defect passivation, resulting in enhanced photovoltaic performance of PSCs.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Li Lin, Chia-Chi Hsu, Kun-Mu Lee, Mei-Yu Lin, Yi-Kai Peng, Ching-Yuan Liu
Summary: A succinct synthesis of new hole-transporting materials based on benzotrithiophene (BTT) core, with t-butyl terminal substituents, was reported using boron- and tin-free threefold direct C-H/C-Br couplings as key transformations. One of the synthesized oligoaryls incorporating additional 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) moiety as pi-spacers exhibited significantly improved power conversion efficiency of up to 15.1% when used as a hole-transporting layer in perovskite solar cells.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kai -Chi Hsiao, Yen-Fu Yu, Ching-Mei Ho, Meng-Huan Jao, Yu -Hsiang Chang, Shih-Hsuan Chen, Yin-Hsuan Chang, Wei-Fang Su, Kun-Mu Lee, Ming-Chung Wu
Summary: Perovskite solar cells with high efficiency are seen as a promising solution for renewable energy, but the presence of toxic lead and its stability in the environment have raised concerns. This study focuses on using a lead-free material as the active layer in perovskite solar cells and doping the carrier transporting layers to improve efficiency. The devices showed good stability and maintained their high efficiency even after prolonged exposure to ambient conditions. These findings suggest that the lead-free perovskite material has potential for large-scale production.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Zhi-Hao Huang, Madhuja Layek, Chia-Feng Li, Kun-Mu Lee, Yu-Ching Huang
Summary: In this study, inorganic CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals with various shapes and sizes were synthesized and used as optical gas sensing materials. The effects of nanocrystal shapes, aggregate sizes, and substrate pore size on the device response were examined. It was found that a porous substrate exhibited the highest response, indicating the importance of interfacial interaction between nanocrystal surfaces and substrates.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yu-Ching Huang, Zhi-Hao Huang, Tai-Yung Wang, Priyanka Chaudhary, Jen-Fu Hsu, Kun-Mu Lee
Summary: By tuning the band gaps of their active layer materials, organic photodetectors (OPDs) can display good responses in the near-infrared (NIR) region, making them useful for applications in biomedical imaging and optical communication. In this study, we used 3TT-FIC, a non-fullerene acceptor (NFA), to develop OPDs capable of operating with extremely low dark currents and high response speeds. By fine tuning the blend ratio of the donor (PM6) and acceptor (3TT-FIC), we obtained an OPD that operated at a low dark current (7.04 x 10-10 A/ cm2) at -1 V with a high value of specific detectivity (D*) (2.6 x 1013 Jones) at the wavelength of 850 nm. We also discuss the wider applicability of 3TT-FIC and its potential as an NFA in NIR OPDs.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Dharuman Chandrasekaran, Shin-Jyun Liou, Wei-Hao Chiu, Lee-Che Lee, Kun-Mu Lee, Yi-Chen Wu, Hsien-Hsin Chou, Yuan Jay Chang, Yung-Sheng Yen
Summary: This study synthesized three D-7C-D type PAHs-based hole-transporting materials (HTMs) and demonstrated their efficiency in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The PSC devices fabricated with one of the compounds, DC-1, achieved a highly efficient power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.09%, outperforming the devices based on DC-2 and DC-3, and slightly higher than those using the control material spiro-OMeTAD. These novel D-7C-D molecules show promising performance as HTMs for PSCs and contribute to the development of high-efficiency perovskite solar cells.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Ming-Chung Wu, Yin-Hsuan Chang, Yi-Jing Lu, Kai-Chi Hsiao, Ting-Han Lin, Jin-Mao Chang, Kai-Hsiang Hsu, Jen-Fu Hsu, Kun-Mu Lee
Summary: Researchers have explored the conversion of CO2 into carbon-based fuels through photocatalytic reactions. They fabricated a novel freestanding photocatalyst composite film by immobilizing Ag3BiI6 onto a nanocellulose transparent film. The resulting film exhibited high photocatalytic activity and stability for CO2 reduction.
MATERIALS SCIENCE IN SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSING
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Seoungjun Ahn, Wei-Hao Chiu, Hsin-Ming Cheng, Vembu Suryanarayanan, Gao Chen, Yu-Ching Huang, Ming-Chung Wu, Kun-Mu Lee
Summary: Cesium halides, such as CsCl, CsBr, and CsI, were introduced as a modulator in the precursor of perovskite films to manipulate their crystallization. The addition of CsI resulted in dense homogeneous perovskite films with high crystallinity, preferential orientation, and a pure black perovskite phase. The carrier lifetime of the perovskite films was significantly increased, leading to an improvement in the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the small-area devices from 17.45% to 20.29%. The devices also exhibited excellent stability, maintaining 75% of the initial PCE after 350 hours of continuous irradiation. This study demonstrates the reliable application of CsI regulation for preparing high-performance perovskite solar cells.
ORGANIC ELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Chen-Hsin Tu, Kun-Mu Lee, Jui-Heng Chen, Chia-Hua Chiang, Shen-Chieh Hsu, Ming-Wei Hsu, Ching-Yuan Liu
Summary: Dithienothiophene (DTT), a versatile building block, has been synthesized efficiently through copper-catalysis. Pi-extension from DTT was achieved using optimized copper-catalyzed reactions, resulting in new hole-transporting materials for perovskite solar cells. The highest energy conversion efficiency of 14.67% was achieved in one of the solar devices. [Cu]-catalyzed direct C-H/C-I couplings were used as key transformations for accessing small molecular hole-transporting materials for the first time.
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2022)
