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Microscopic observation of dye molecules for solar cells on a titania surface.

ABSTRACT: The lateral distribution and coverage of Ru-based dye molecules, which are used for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), were directly examined on a titania surface using high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). The clean surface of a free-standing titania nanosheet was first confirmed with atomic resolution, and then, the nanosheet was used as a substrate. A single dye molecule on the titania nanosheet was visualized for the first time. The quantitative STEM images revealed an inhomogeneous dye-molecule distribution at the early stage of its absorption, i.e., the aggregation of the dye molecules. The majority of the titania surface was not covered by dye molecules, suggesting that optimization of the dye molecule distribution could yield further improvement of the DSC conversion efficiencies.

SUBMITTER: Koshiya S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4834531 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Microscopic observation of dye molecules for solar cells on a titania surface.

Koshiya Shogo S Yamashita Shunsuke S Kimoto Koji K

Scientific reports 20160418

The lateral distribution and coverage of Ru-based dye molecules, which are used for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), were directly examined on a titania surface using high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). The clean surface of a free-standing titania nanosheet was first confirmed with atomic resolution, and then, the nanosheet was used as a substrate. A single dye molecule on the titania nanosheet was visualized for the first time. The quantitative STEM images reveal ...[more]

PMID: 27087005

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Project description:For proper function of the negative electrode of dye-sensitized and perovskite solar cells, the deposition of a nonporous blocking film is required on the surface of F-doped SnO2 (FTO) glass substrates. Such a blocking film can minimise undesirable parasitic processes, for example, the back reaction of photoinjected electrons with the oxidized form of the redox mediator or with the hole-transporting medium can be avoided. In the present work, thin, transparent, blocking TiO2 films are prepared by semi-automatic spray pyrolysis of precursors consisting of titanium diisopropoxide bis(acetylacetonate) as the main component. The variation in the layer thickness of the sprayed films is achieved by varying the number of spray cycles. The parameters investigated in this work were deposition temperature (150, 300 and 450 °C), number of spray cycles (20-200), precursor composition (with/without deliberately added acetylacetone), concentration (0.05 and 0.2 M) and subsequent post-calcination at 500 °C. The photo-electrochemical properties were evaluated in aqueous electrolyte solution under UV irradiation. The blocking properties were tested by cyclic voltammetry with a model redox probe with a simple one-electron-transfer reaction. Semi-automatic spraying resulted in the formation of transparent, homogeneous, TiO2 films, and the technique allows for easy upscaling to large electrode areas. The deposition temperature of 450 °C was necessary for the fabrication of highly photoactive TiO2 films. The blocking properties of the as-deposited TiO2 films (at 450 °C) were impaired by post-calcination at 500 °C, but this problem could be addressed by increasing the number of spray cycles. The modification of the precursor by adding acetylacetone resulted in the fabrication of TiO2 films exhibiting perfect blocking properties that were not influenced by post-calcination. These results will surely find use in the fabrication of large-scale dye-sensitized and perovskite solar cells.

Dataset Information

Microscopic observation of dye molecules for solar cells on a titania surface.

Publications

Microscopic observation of dye molecules for solar cells on a titania surface.

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