Photochemical solar cells based on dye-sensitization of nanocrystalline TiO{sub 2}
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), 1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, Colorado 80401-3393 (United States)
A photoelectrochemical solar cell that is based on the dye-sensitization of thin nanocrystalline films of TiO{sub 2} (anatase) nanoparticles in contact with a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte is described. The cell, fabricated at NREL, shows a conversion efficiency of {approximately}9.2{percent} at AM1.5, which approaches the best reported value of 10{percent}-11{percent} by Gr{umlt a}tzel at EPFL in Lausanne, Switzerland. Femtosecond (fs) pump-probe spectroscopy has been used to time resolve the injection of electrons into the conduction band of nanocrystalline TiO{sub 2} films under ambient conditions following photoexcitation of the adsorbed Ru(II)-complex dye. The measurement indicates an instrument-limited {minus}50 fs upper limit on the electron injection time. We also report the sensitization of nanocrystalline TiO{sub 2} by a novel iron-based dye. cis-[Fe{sup II}(2,2{sup {prime}}-bipyridine-4,4{sup {prime}}-dicarboxylic&hthinsp;acid){sub 2}(CN){sub 2}], a chromophore with an extremely short-lived, nonemissive excited state. The dye also exhibits a unique {open_quotes}band selective{close_quotes} sensitization through one of its two absorption bands. The operational principle of the device has been studied through the measurement of electric field distribution within the device structure and studies on the pH dependence of dye-redox potential. The incorporation of a WO{sub 3}-based electrochromic layer into this device has led to a novel photoelectrochromic device structure for {open_quotes}smart window{close_quotes} applications. {copyright} {ital 1999 American Institute of Physics.}
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 357199
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-980935--
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 462; ISSN APCPCS; ISSN 0094-243X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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