Electro-Optical and Electrochemical Studies of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

  • Alberto Fattori, University of Bath, United Kingdom
  • Prof Laurie Peter, University of Bath, United Kingdom
  • Prof Mike Ward, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom
  • Dr Juan Herrera, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom
  • Dr Amitava Das, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom

    • The choice for dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC) depends on different parameters such stability, suitable attachment groups able to bind the dye on the surface of TiO2, broad absorbance in the visible range. Photo-induced absorption spectroscopy (PIA)(1) is a powerful tool to obtain information on the efficiency of dye regeneration reactions in the cell. Studies have been made on the TiO2 electrode and on the complete device on air using N719 and a wide range of other dyes, including polynuclear cyanoruthenate compounds(2) as well as several metal free organic dyes. The influence of the solvent on dye regeneration and stability has been investigated by PIA as well as by electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical measurements.

    1. Gerrit Boschloo, Andres Hagfeldt, Chemical Physical Letters; 2003; (370), 381-386.
    2. Juan-Manuel Herrera, Michael D. Ward, Harry Adams, Simon J.A.Pope and Stephen Faukner, Chem Comm; 2006; 1851-1853