Nanocrystalline Dye-sensitized Solar Cells Having Maximum Performance

摘要

This paper presents an overview of the research carried out by a European consortium with the aim to develop and test new and improved ways to realise dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC) with enhanced efficiencies and stabilities. Several new areas have been explored in the field of new concepts and materials, fabrication protocols for TiO_2 and scatterlayers, metal oxide blocking layers, strategies for co-sensitizalion and low temperature processes of platinum deposition. Fundamental understanding of the working principles has been gained by means of electrical and optical modelling and advanced characterization techniques. Cost analyses have been mode to demonstrate the potential of DSC as a low cost thin film PY technology. The combined efforts have led to maximum non-certified power conversion efficiencies under full sunlight of 11 percent for areas <0.2cm~2 and 20.1 percent for a cell with an active area of 1.3 cm~2. Lifetime studies revealed negligible device degradation after 1000hrs of accelerated tests under thermal stress at 80 deg C in the dark and visible light soaking at 60 deg C. An outlook summarizing future directions in the research and large-scale of DSC is presented.