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
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Pei-Hsuan Chang, Manik Chandra Sil, Kamani Sudhir K. Reddy, Ching-Hsuan Lin, Chih-Ming Chen
Summary: By synthesizing PI-COFs and doping them into the TiO2 photoelectrode of DSSC, the power conversion efficiency of the cell was improved, showcasing promise for enhancing solar efficiency in the development of DSSCs.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Shenghua He, Zhang Lan, Bo Zhang, Yueyue Gao, Luwen Shang, Gentian Yue, Shanshan Chen, Zhitao Shen, Furui Tan, Jihuai Wu
Summary: In this study, a two-dimensional material, Ti3C2Tx, was incorporated into titanium dioxide to improve the performance of organic electronics. The Ti3C2Tx/TiO2 hybrid film showed enhanced photon absorption, reduced charge carrier recombination, and efficient charge carrier collection. The hybrid film also enhanced the detectivity and shortened the responsivity of self-powered photodetectors.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Adel Daoud, Ali Cheknane, Afek Meftah, Jean Michel Nunzi, Manal Shalabi, Hikmat S. Hilal
Summary: Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are gaining attention as alternatives to traditional photovoltaic solar cells due to their easy manufacturing methods, understandable operating mechanisms, and environmental friendliness. In these solar cells, the competition between electron-hole charge separation and recombination processes determines the fate of the excited electron, while the type of electrolyte determines the competition between recombination reactions and dye regeneration. Despite early studies on combining p-DSSCs and n-DSSCs to create t-DSSCs, the performance is usually poor due to the competing processes, necessitating improvements in DSSCs. This article focuses on the effects of using NiO as a working electrode and discusses the impact of sensitizer, redox couple, and transparent conducting oxide electrode on cell performance.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shenghua He, Luwen Shang, Yueyue Gao, Yan Shi, Furui Tan, Xiaoming Chen, Gentian Yue
Summary: The use of TSi molecule effectively reduces charge recombination in DSSCs, improving PCE, enhancing humidity resistance, and long-term stability.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2022)
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
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Gang Wang, Li-Jiao Ma, Bing-Xin Lei, Heng Wu, Zhao-Qing Liu
Summary: Two-dimensional Ti3C2 material with unique electronic, optical, and plasmonic properties has a wide range of applications in photovoltaics. In this study, Ti3C2 nanosheets-modified P25 nanoparticles were used as photoanode films for dye-sensitized solar cells, and the resulting efficiency was significantly improved compared to pure P25.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jiazhi Zou, Yuqing Wang, Glib Baryshnikov, Jiaxin Luo, Xueyan Wang, Hans Agren, Chengjie Li, Yongshu Xie
Summary: To develop efficient dye-sensitized solar cells, a new class of dye called concerted companion dye (CC dye) has been reported. These dyes exhibit panchromatic absorption and excellent photovoltaic performance. By wrapping the dye molecules with alkoxy chains of various lengths, the antiaggregation ability of the dyes is further enhanced, leading to improved photovoltaic performance. This research provides a new approach for constructing high-performance dye-sensitized solar cells.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Fengsheng Ge, Fang Xu, Kun Gong, Dongzhi Liu, Wei Li, Lichang Wang, Xueqin Zhou
Summary: The design and synthesis of two novel D-A dyes cTPAPh-NO2 and cTPABT-PyCN2 were reported, and their photophysical and electrochemical properties were investigated. The attachment of carboxyl groups reduced the light harvesting and intramolecular charge separation ability of cTPAPh-NO2. In contrast, cTPABT-PyCN2 exhibited weak fluorescence and efficient intramolecular charge separation characteristics. These dyes showed promising potential as p-type sensitizers with effective charge separation characteristics in dye-sensitized solar cells.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Dinesh Nugegoda, Shrabanti Bhattacharya, Leigh Anna Hunt, Samantha J. Schwartz, Zane H. Turner, Nathan Hammer, Jonah W. Jurss, Jared H. Delcamp
Summary: Productive electron transfer between dye and redox shuttle is crucial for high-performing dye-sensitized solar cells. This study demonstrates that noncovalent self-assembly of dye and redox shuttle via g-stacking interactions can increase the electron transfer rate. The use of a dye with pyrene-based donor group and a redox shuttle with pyrene substitution leads to enhanced dye regeneration and reduced recombination rate. A power conversion efficiency of 22.8% is achieved under fluorescent lighting conditions.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Dinesh Nugegoda, Shrabanti Bhattacharya, Leigh Anna Hunt, Samantha J. Schwartz, Zane H. Turner, Nathan I. Hammer, Jonah W. Jurss, Jared H. Delcamp
Summary: Increasing the electron transfer rate between the dye and redox shuttle by noncovalent self-assembly through pi-stacking interactions has been shown to enhance the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells. This study synthesized a dye with a pyrene-based donor group and tested it with two terpyridine-based redox shuttles. The results demonstrated that the presence of pyrene groups on both the dye and redox shuttle increased the rate of dye regeneration and resulted in a significantly higher power conversion efficiency under fluorescent lighting conditions.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Amanpal Singh, Yogesh Kumar Saini, Anuj Kumar, Sanjeev Gautam, Dinesh Kumar, Viresh Dutta, Han-koo Lee, Jongsu Lee, Sanjay Kumar Swami
Summary: Graphene oxide (GO) nano-powder is synthesized using the modified Hummer's method and thin films are deposited using a GO water solution. The thermal reduction of GO allows for control of microstructural, electrical, and optical properties. The addition of reduced GO nano-powder to TiO2 paste significantly improves the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) compared to unmodified TiO2 photoanodes.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Masaaki Mitsui, Yushiro Nakagome, Yoshiki Niihori, Shota Inoue, Yutaka Fujiwara, Kenji Kobayashi
Summary: Two starburst-shaped organic chromophores were synthesized and applied to dye-sensitized solar cells. SB-08 showed better performance than SB-07, with a higher incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency and power conversion efficiency. This new architecture allows flexible modification of branches to enhance light-harvesting ability and electron transport pathways.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sultana Rahman, Abdul Haleem, Muhammad Siddiq, Muhammad Khalid Hussain, Samina Qamar, Safia Hameed, Muhammad Waris
Summary: The financial progress of a country depends heavily on the energy sector, which is crucial for the growth and development of various industries. The use of renewable resources is essential to overcome the energy crisis and reduce the negative impact of hydrocarbon fuels on the environment. This review focuses on the dyes used in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) and discusses the progress in both inorganic and natural dyes.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nick Vlachopoulos, Michael Gratzel, Anders Hagfeldt
Summary: This review introduces the application of electronically conducting polymers as hole conductors in solid-state dye solar cells. It covers the basic principles of dye solar cell operation, electrochemical polymerization, and different configurations of S-DSSCs.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hochan Song, Jonghee Yang, Woo Hyeon Jeong, Jeongjae Lee, Tack Ho Lee, Jung Won Yoon, Hajin Lee, Alexandra J. Ramadan, Robert D. J. Oliver, Seong Chan Cho, Seul Gi Lim, Ji Won Jang, Zhongkai Yu, Jae Taek Oh, Eui Dae Jung, Myoung Hoon Song, Sung Heum Park, James R. Durrant, Henry J. Snaith, Sang Uck Lee, Bo Ram Lee, Hyosung Choi
Summary: This study explores a method to achieve high efficiency and stability in semiconducting lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) through a single processing strategy by finding suitable surface ligands. The PNC ink prepared using this method can be used to fabricate both LED and PV devices, with peak electroluminescence external quantum efficiency of 17.00% and power conversion efficiency of 14.92%. It is found that a careful design of the aromatic rings in the ligands is crucial for achieving high performance, ease of processing, and improved phase stability. This research demonstrates the role of ligand design in PNC ink formulations for high-throughput production of optoelectronic devices and paves the way for dual-mode devices with both PV and LED functionalities.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shuaifeng Hu, Pei Zhao, Kyohei Nakano, Robert D. J. Oliver, Jorge Pascual, Joel A. A. Smith, Takumi Yamada, Minh Anh Truong, Richard Murdey, Nobutaka Shioya, Takeshi Hasegawa, Masahiro Ehara, Michael B. B. Johnston, Keisuke Tajima, Yoshihiko Kanemitsu, Henry J. J. Snaith, Atsushi Wakamiya
Summary: In this study, it is found that the surface treatment of mixed tin-lead halide perovskite films with piperazine promotes charge extraction, and combined treatment with CPTA reduces hysteresis and improves efficiency and stability of solar cells.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Emil G. Dyrvik, Jonathan H. Warby, Melissa M. McCarthy, Alexandra J. Ramadan, Karl-Augustin Zaininger, Andreas E. Lauritzen, Suhas Mahesh, Robert A. Taylor, Henry J. Snaith
Summary: In this study, a thin Al2O3 layer grown by atomic layer deposition was used to selectively cover regions of imperfect hole transport layer deposition and form an intermixed composite with the organic transport layer. This technique improved electroluminescent external quantum efficiency in PeLEDs by reducing nonradiative recombination and improving carrier selectivity. The results show great potential for scale-up and application in other fields.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Silvia G. Motti, Manuel Kober-Czerny, Marcello Righetto, Philippe Holzhey, Joel Smith, Hans Kraus, Henry J. Snaith, Michael B. Johnston, Laura M. Herz
Summary: Metal halide perovskite (MHP) semiconductors have revolutionized optoelectronic technologies for high-efficiency photovoltaic applications. This study investigates the charge carriers and their transport mechanisms in low-dimensional MHPs using ultrafast optical and terahertz spectroscopy. The findings provide new insights into the interplay of exciton and free-carrier populations in 2D MHPs and demonstrate the potential of these semiconductors for solar cells, transistors, and electrically driven light sources.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xinyi Shen, Benjamin M. Gallant, Philippe Holzhey, Joel A. Smith, Karim A. Elmestekawy, Zhongcheng Yuan, P. V. G. M. Rathnayake, Stefano Bernardi, Akash Dasgupta, Ernestas Kasparavicius, Tadas Malinauskas, Pietro Caprioglio, Oleksandra Shargaieva, Yen-Hung Lin, Melissa M. McCarthy, Eva Unger, Vytautas Getautis, Asaph Widmer-Cooper, Laura M. Herz, Henry J. Snaith
Summary: By introducing chloride additives and employing a self-assembled monolayer as the hole-transport layer, challenges in 1.8 eV perovskite solar cells are successfully overcome, resulting in an open-circuit voltage of 1.25 V and a power conversion efficiency of 17.0%.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Adam D. Wright, Jay. B. Patel, Michael B. Johnston, Laura M. Herz
Summary: Understanding the mechanism of light-induced halide segregation is important for using mixed-halide perovskites in multijunction solar cells. Photoluminescence spectroscopy reveals that increasing temperature and light intensity can counteract halide segregation. The acceleration and deceleration of halide segregation with temperature are attributed to the trade-off between temperature activation and entropic factors. High light intensities can also reverse halide segregation, but only temporarily. These findings contribute to a better understanding of halide segregation and the development of efficient and stable perovskite solar cells.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Felix Schmidt, Meret Amrein, Sebastian Hedwig, Manuel Kober-Czerny, Adriana Paracchino, Ville Holappa, Riikka Suhonen, Andreas Schaeffer, Edwin C. Constable, Henry J. Snaith, Markus Lenz
Summary: Perovskite solar cells, which rely on the use of lead, face potential environmental concerns. A recycling process using hot water was demonstrated to effectively extract lead from synthetic precursor mixes, plastic-based, and glass-based perovskites with high efficiency. The extracted lead can be precipitated in high purity, allowing for its recovery. This straightforward method mitigates the risk of lead leaching at the end-of-life of perovskite solar cells.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Teja Potocnik, Oliver Burton, Marcel Reutzel, David Schmitt, Jan Philipp Bange, Stefan Mathias, Fabian R. Geisenhof, R. Thomas Weitz, Linyuan Xin, Hannah J. Joyce, Stephan Hofmann, Jack A. Alexander-Webber
Summary: This study introduces spectroscopic ellipsometric contrast microscopy (SECM) as a tool for mapping twist angle disorder in optically resonant twisted bilayer graphene, confirming the accuracy and fast characterization of SECM.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jessica L. Boland, Djamshid A. Damry, Chelsea Q. Xia, Piet Schoenherr, Dharmalingam Prabhakaran, Laura M. Herz, Thorsten Hesjedal, Michael B. Johnston
Summary: By exploiting band structure topology, both helicity-dependent and helicityindependent THz emission can be generated from nanowires of the topological Dirac semimetal Cd3As2. Narrowband THz pulses can be generated at oblique incidence by driving the system with optical (1.55 eV) pulses with circular polarization. Varying the incident angle also provides control of the peak emission frequency, with peak frequencies spanning 0.21-1.40 THz as the angle is tuned from 15 to 45 degrees. Therefore, Cd3As2 nanowires are considered a promising novel material platform for controllable terahertz emission.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Karim A. Elmestekawy, Benjamin M. Gallant, Adam D. Wright, Philippe Holzhey, Nakita K. Noel, Michael B. Johnston, Henry J. Snaith, Laura M. Herz
Summary: This study explores the effects of three common solution-based film-fabrication methods on FAPbI3 crystals, and finds that two methods can reduce quantum confinement effects and improve the conversion efficiency and short-circuit current of solar cells. A meta-analysis of 244 articles and 825 photovoltaic devices confirms that PCE rarely exceeds a 20% threshold when these absorption features are present. Therefore, ensuring the absence of these absorption features should be the primary consideration when designing fabrication approaches for high-efficiency FAPbI3 solar cells.
ACS ENERGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Snigdha Lal, Marcello Righetto, Aleksander M. Ulatowski, Silvia G. Motti, Zhuotong Sun, Judith L. MacManus-Driscoll, Robert L. Z. Hoye, Laura M. Herz
Summary: This study investigates the terahertz photoconductivity dynamics of thin films of BiOI and reveals a lack of self-trapping in charge carriers, leading to good charge-carrier mobility. The results show that BiOI has a higher potential as a light-harvesting semiconductor compared to traditional lead halide materials.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Siyu Yan, Jay B. Patel, Jae Eun Lee, Karim A. Elmestekawy, Sinclair R. Ratnasingham, Qimu Yuan, Laura M. Herz, Nakita K. Noel, Michael B. Johnston
Summary: Metal halide perovskite semiconductors have great potential for use in photovoltaic devices, and thermal vapor deposition is a promising technique for their fabrication. This study investigates the use of templating layers to control the growth of coevaporated perovskite films, resulting in films with identical properties. Solar cells incorporating templated perovskite films exhibit significant improvements with a power conversion efficiency over 19.8%.
ACS ENERGY LETTERS
(2023)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Alexandra J. Ramadan, Robert D. J. Oliver, Michael B. Johnston, Henry J. Snaith
Summary: This review discusses the challenges, progress, and future development strategies of methylammonium-free wide-bandgap perovskites. Despite their attractiveness in tandem photovoltaics, wide-bandgap perovskites without methylammonium perform worse than their counterparts with methylammonium and narrower bandgap. Researchers need to address the energy-loss pathways that currently constrain their performance.
NATURE REVIEWS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xueyu Tian, Bart Roose, Samuel D. Stranks, Fengqi You
Summary: Propose periodic module recycling as a strategy to address resource scarcity and stability requirements, accelerating the commercialization of halide perovskite tandem PV. Experimental results show that indium tin oxide-coated substrates can be reused without significant performance loss. Recycling reduces greenhouse gas emissions and improves energy return on investment, providing new strategies for sustainable PV technologies.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Felix Lang, Yu-Hsien Chiang, Kyle Frohna, Sercan Ozen, Heinz C. Neitzert, Andrea Denker, Martin Stolterfoht, Samuel D. Stranks
Summary: In this study, methylammonium-free, co-evaporated FA(0.7)Cs(0.3)Pb(I0.9Br0.1)(3) perovskite solar cells were fabricated and tested, demonstrating their high tolerance to high-energetic radiation and potential for high power-to-weight ratios, making them suitable for future space PV applications. The absence of methylammonium greatly improved the UV-light stability, which is important considering the increased UV proportion in the extra-terrestrial solar spectrum. By using injection-current-dependent electroluminescence (EL) and intensity-dependent V-OC measurements, the pseudo-JV methodology was employed to analyze the damage mechanisms and to determine the perovskite's degradation under high energetic proton irradiation. The results showed a high radiation tolerance of 0.96 initial PCE, surpassing current space material systems and comparable to solution-processed perovskite solar cells.