Distance Dependence of Plasmon-Enhanced Photocurrent in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

摘要

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) represent one of the most promising emerging technologies for light-to-electrical energy conversion. Among the most attractive potential features of DSSCs are (a) minimal capital costs for synthesis of component materials and (b) ease and economy of fabrication. The operation of DSSCs is based on the division of the light collection and charge separation functions in the cell. The anode consists of a transparent nanoparticulate TiO_2 (or other metal-oxide) network that is sensitized with a molecular dye. Upon the absorption of light, the dye injects an electron into the TiO_2 network. The electron travels through this network until it is collected. The resulting dye radical is reduced to its ground state by a redox-based mediator, which is typically I~-/I_3~-.