The effect of molecular aggregates over the interfacial charge transfer processes on dye sensitized solar cells
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ). Avda. Paiesos Catalans, 16 Tarragona 43007 (Spain)
- Centre for Electronic Materials and Devices, Imperial College of London, Exhibition Road, SW7 2AZ London (United Kingdom)
The electron transfer reaction between the photoinjected electrons in the nanocrystalline TiO{sub 2} mesoporous sensitized films and the oxidized electrolyte in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) plays a major role on the device efficiency. In this communication we show that, although the presence of molecular aggregates on the free base porphyrin DSSC limits the device photocurrent response under illumination, they form an effective hydrophobic barrier against the oxidized electrolyte impeding fast back-electron transfer kinetics. Therefore, their drawback can be overcome by designing dyes with peripheral moieties that prevent the formation of the aggregates and are able to achieve efficiencies as high as 3.2% under full sun.
- OSTI ID:
- 21101994
- Journal Information:
- Applied Physics Letters, Journal Name: Applied Physics Letters Journal Issue: 15 Vol. 92; ISSN APPLAB; ISSN 0003-6951
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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