Modifying the Semiconductor/Electrolyte Interface in CuO p-Type Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Optimization of Iodide/Triiodide-Based Electrolytes

Oliver Langmar; Carolina R. Ganivet; Tobias Scharl; Gema De La Torre; Tomás Torres; Rubén D. Costa; Dirk M. Guldi

doi:10.1021/acsaem.8b01370

Modifying the Semiconductor/Electrolyte Interface in CuO p-Type Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Optimization of Iodide/Triiodide-Based Electrolytes

Oliver Langmar, Carolina R. Ganivet, Tobias Scharl, Gema De La Torre, Tomás Torres, Rubén D. Costa^*, Dirk M. Guldi

^*Corresponding author for this work

Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Studies related to novel electrolyte concepts for p-type dye-sensitized solar cells (p-DSSCs) set focus on developing alternatives to the iodide/triiodide (I^-/I₃^-) redox couples, while attempts to improve the performance of the latter are scarce. In this study, we report on the first complete optimization of an I^-/I₃^--based electrolyte for p-DSSCs employing CuO-based photocathodes. Optimization of the electrolyte solvent, the effect of ionic liquids, and the concentration-dependent properties of various electrolyte additives were at the focal point. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and intensity-modulated photovoltage and photocurrent spectroscopies complemented basic electrochemical and device characterization, leading to a sound understanding of charge injection, charge recombination, and charge transport. To this end, optimization of the aforementioned parameters enabled 2-fold device efficiencies of 0.156% compared to 0.078% for nonoptimized devices.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	6388-6400
Number of pages	13
Journal	ACS Applied Energy Materials
Volume	1
Issue number	11
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1021/acsaem.8b01370
Publication status	Published - 2018 Nov 26

Keywords

copper(II) oxide
electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
electrolyte optimization
p-type dye-sensitized solar cell
photocathode

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Chemical Engineering (miscellaneous)
Energy Engineering and Power Technology
Electrochemistry
Materials Chemistry
Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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title = "Modifying the Semiconductor/Electrolyte Interface in CuO p-Type Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Optimization of Iodide/Triiodide-Based Electrolytes",

abstract = "Studies related to novel electrolyte concepts for p-type dye-sensitized solar cells (p-DSSCs) set focus on developing alternatives to the iodide/triiodide (I-/I3-) redox couples, while attempts to improve the performance of the latter are scarce. In this study, we report on the first complete optimization of an I-/I3--based electrolyte for p-DSSCs employing CuO-based photocathodes. Optimization of the electrolyte solvent, the effect of ionic liquids, and the concentration-dependent properties of various electrolyte additives were at the focal point. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and intensity-modulated photovoltage and photocurrent spectroscopies complemented basic electrochemical and device characterization, leading to a sound understanding of charge injection, charge recombination, and charge transport. To this end, optimization of the aforementioned parameters enabled 2-fold device efficiencies of 0.156% compared to 0.078% for nonoptimized devices.",

keywords = "copper(II) oxide, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, electrolyte optimization, p-type dye-sensitized solar cell, photocathode",

author = "Oliver Langmar and Ganivet, {Carolina R.} and Tobias Scharl and {De La Torre}, Gema and Tom{\'a}s Torres and Costa, {Rub{\'e}n D.} and Guldi, {Dirk M.}",

year = "2018",

month = nov,

day = "26",

doi = "10.1021/acsaem.8b01370",

language = "English",

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T2 - Optimization of Iodide/Triiodide-Based Electrolytes

AU - Langmar, Oliver

AU - Ganivet, Carolina R.

AU - Scharl, Tobias

AU - De La Torre, Gema

AU - Torres, Tomás

AU - Costa, Rubén D.

AU - Guldi, Dirk M.

PY - 2018/11/26

Y1 - 2018/11/26

N2 - Studies related to novel electrolyte concepts for p-type dye-sensitized solar cells (p-DSSCs) set focus on developing alternatives to the iodide/triiodide (I-/I3-) redox couples, while attempts to improve the performance of the latter are scarce. In this study, we report on the first complete optimization of an I-/I3--based electrolyte for p-DSSCs employing CuO-based photocathodes. Optimization of the electrolyte solvent, the effect of ionic liquids, and the concentration-dependent properties of various electrolyte additives were at the focal point. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and intensity-modulated photovoltage and photocurrent spectroscopies complemented basic electrochemical and device characterization, leading to a sound understanding of charge injection, charge recombination, and charge transport. To this end, optimization of the aforementioned parameters enabled 2-fold device efficiencies of 0.156% compared to 0.078% for nonoptimized devices.

AB - Studies related to novel electrolyte concepts for p-type dye-sensitized solar cells (p-DSSCs) set focus on developing alternatives to the iodide/triiodide (I-/I3-) redox couples, while attempts to improve the performance of the latter are scarce. In this study, we report on the first complete optimization of an I-/I3--based electrolyte for p-DSSCs employing CuO-based photocathodes. Optimization of the electrolyte solvent, the effect of ionic liquids, and the concentration-dependent properties of various electrolyte additives were at the focal point. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and intensity-modulated photovoltage and photocurrent spectroscopies complemented basic electrochemical and device characterization, leading to a sound understanding of charge injection, charge recombination, and charge transport. To this end, optimization of the aforementioned parameters enabled 2-fold device efficiencies of 0.156% compared to 0.078% for nonoptimized devices.

KW - copper(II) oxide

KW - electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

KW - electrolyte optimization

KW - p-type dye-sensitized solar cell

KW - photocathode

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Modifying the Semiconductor/Electrolyte Interface in CuO p-Type Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Optimization of Iodide/Triiodide-Based Electrolytes

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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