Light-Induced Interfacial Dynamics Dramatically Improve the Photocurrent in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: An Electrolyte Effect

Jiajia Gao, Ahmed M. El-Zohry, Herri Trilaksana, Erik Gabrielsson, Valentina Leandri, Hanna Ellis, Luca D'Amario, Majid Safdari, James M. Gardner, Gunther Andersson, Lars Kloo*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

A significant increase in the photocurrent generation during light soaking for solar cells sensitized by the triphenylamine-based D-π-A organic dyes (PD2 and LEG1) and mediated by cobalt bipyridine redox complexes has been observed and investigated. The crucial role of the electrolyte has been identified in the performance improvement. Control experiments based on a pre-treatment strategy reveals TBP as the origin. The increase in the current and IPCE has been interpreted by the interfacial charge-transfer kinetics studies. A slow component in the injection kinetics was exposed for this system. This change explains the increase in the electron lifetime and collection efficiency. Photoelectron spectroscopic measurements show energy shifts at the dye/TiO2 interface, leading us to formulate a hypothesis with respect to an electrolyte-induced dye reorganization at the surface.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)26241-26247
Number of pages7
JournalACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
Volume10
Issue number31
DOIs
StatePublished - 8 Aug 2018
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 American Chemical Society.

Keywords

  • dye-sensitized solar cells
  • dynamics
  • electrolyte
  • interface
  • light soaking

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science

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