A small electron donor in cobalt complex electrolyte significantly improves efficiency in dye-sensitized solar cells

Yan Hao, Wenxing Yang, Lei Zhang, Roger Jiang, Edgar Mijangos, Yasemin Saygili, Leif Hammarström, Anders Hagfeldt and Gerrit Boschloo ()
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Yan Hao: Centre of Molecular Devices, Uppsala University
Wenxing Yang: Centre of Molecular Devices, Uppsala University
Lei Zhang: Centre of Molecular Devices, Uppsala University
Roger Jiang: Centre of Molecular Devices, Uppsala University
Edgar Mijangos: Centre of Molecular Devices, Uppsala University
Yasemin Saygili: Laboratory of Photomolecular Science, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, EPFL SB ISIC LSPM, Chemin des Alambics
Leif Hammarström: Centre of Molecular Devices, Uppsala University
Anders Hagfeldt: Centre of Molecular Devices, Uppsala University
Gerrit Boschloo: Centre of Molecular Devices, Uppsala University

Nature Communications, 2016, vol. 7, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Photoelectrochemical approach to solar energy conversion demands a kinetic optimization of various light-induced electron transfer processes. Of great importance are the redox mediator systems accomplishing the electron transfer processes at the semiconductor/electrolyte interface, therefore affecting profoundly the performance of various photoelectrochemical cells. Here, we develop a strategy—by addition of a small organic electron donor, tris(4-methoxyphenyl)amine, into state-of-art cobalt tris(bipyridine) redox electrolyte—to significantly improve the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells. The developed solar cells exhibit efficiency of 11.7 and 10.5%, at 0.46 and one-sun illumination, respectively, corresponding to a 26% efficiency improvement compared with the standard electrolyte. Preliminary stability tests showed the solar cell retained 90% of its initial efficiency after 250 h continuous one-sun light soaking. Detailed mechanistic studies reveal the crucial role of the electron transfer cascade processes within the new redox system.

Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13934

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