Measurements and evaluation of dye-sensitized solar cell performance

Publication date: March 2013 Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology C: Photochemistry Reviews, Volume 14 Author(s): Katsuhiko Takagi , Shinichi Magaino , Hidenori Saito , Tomoko Aoki , Daisuke Aoki Measurement and evaluation methods for the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), of which the mechanism for photocurrent generation is quite different from that of silicon-type solar cells, are reviewed here and a relevant method proposed. The slow response times and nonlinearity of DSC photocurrents against the light intensity (irradiance) at wavelengths of incident light are profoundly influenced by their characteristic working principles since photocurrent generation for DSCs is more complicated than for Si-type solar cells. DSCs work not only by the physical process of an electron in solid-state TiO2 but also diffusion processes in the fluid electrolytes in contrast to only the simple solid-state physical process of a charge separation at the p–n junction of the interface for Si-type solar cells. In addition, newly developed DSCs are prepared by such elemental materials as sensitizers, electrolytes and semiconductors of diverse morphologies. In this respect, it is essential to establish a comprehensive and relevant method for the correct spectral measurement of the responsivity and performance of a wide range of DSCs which may include cells involving various kinds of electrolytic media. In this review, DSC electrolyte media with such disparate ...

Source: Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology C: Photochemistry Reviews - November 4, 2014 Category: Chemistry Source Type: research