Article: Dye-sensitised solar cells using TiO2 nanoparticles: a review Journal: International Journal of Renewable Energy Technology (IJRET) 2015 Vol.6 No.1 pp.35 - 48 Abstract: Over the past two decades, several research papers have been published on dye-sensitised solar cells ever since its conception was first reported in 1991. This paper discusses their basic principle, fabrication in the laboratory and developments, based on results reported in literature. The various factors which stand in favour and against their commercialisation and their characterisation by techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive analysis have also been discussed. DSSC consists of a porous-structured nanocrystalline semiconductor coating electrode. Adsorbed dye molecules act as the photosensitised anode while a platinised fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass acts as the counter electrode. An electrolyte acts as a conductor to electrically connect the two electrodes. The sensitising dye in a DSSC is anchored to a wide-bandgap semiconductor such as TiO2, SnO2 or ZnO. When the dye absorbs light, the photoexcited electron rapidly transfers to the conduction band of the semiconductor, which carries the electron to one of the electrodes. A redox couple, usually comprised of iodide/triiodide (I-/I3-), then reduces the oxidised dye back to its neutral state and transports the positive charge to the platinised counter-electrode. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Dye-sensitised solar cells using TiO₂ nanoparticles: a review

Authors: J.P. Vyjayanthi; K. Sekar; M. Thiagarajan

Addresses: Department of Chemistry, Sri Ranganathar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Athipalayam, Coimbatore (Tamilnadu) 641 110, India ' Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Sri Ranganathar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Athipalayam, Coimbatore (Tamilnadu) 641 110, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Ranganathar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Athipalayam, Coimbatore (Tamilnadu) 641 110, India

Abstract: Over the past two decades, several research papers have been published on dye-sensitised solar cells ever since its conception was first reported in 1991. This paper discusses their basic principle, fabrication in the laboratory and developments, based on results reported in literature. The various factors which stand in favour and against their commercialisation and their characterisation by techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive analysis have also been discussed. DSSC consists of a porous-structured nanocrystalline semiconductor coating electrode. Adsorbed dye molecules act as the photosensitised anode while a platinised fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass acts as the counter electrode. An electrolyte acts as a conductor to electrically connect the two electrodes. The sensitising dye in a DSSC is anchored to a wide-bandgap semiconductor such as TiO₂, SnO₂ or ZnO. When the dye absorbs light, the photoexcited electron rapidly transfers to the conduction band of the semiconductor, which carries the electron to one of the electrodes. A redox couple, usually comprised of iodide/triiodide (I^-/I₃^-), then reduces the oxidised dye back to its neutral state and transports the positive charge to the platinised counter-electrode.

Keywords: conversion efficiency; dye-sensitised solar cells; DSSC; nanoparticles; renewable energy; titanium dioxide; TiO2; nanotechnology; commercialisation; solar energy; solar power.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRET.2015.067514

International Journal of Renewable Energy Technology, 2015 Vol.6 No.1, pp.35 - 48

Received: 05 Apr 2013
Accepted: 05 Nov 2013
Published online: 18 Mar 2015 *

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Title: Dye-sensitised solar cells using TiO₂ nanoparticles: a review