A comparative study of Be and Mg ions adsorbed on TiO2 photoelectrodes on interfacial charge recombination in solar cells

• Published in: Journal of industrial and engineering chemistry (Seoul, Korea) 2018, 65(0), , pp.188-194
• Main Authors: Shin, Dong-Won, Kang, Jin-Kyu, Kim, Dae-Hwan, Han, Yoon Soo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Beryllium ion; Charge recombination; Dye-sensitized solar cell; Magnesium ion; Surface modification; 화학공학
• ISSN: 1226-086X; 1876-794X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jiec.2018.04.028

[Display omitted] The dye sensitized solar cell with Be2+(15)-TiO2/FTO, which was prepared by soaking bare TiO2/FTO in a beryllium sulfate solution for 15min, showed approximately 14% enhancement in power conversion efficiency (PCE) compared with that of the reference cell with bare TiO2/FTO due to an increase in the short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage, and fill factor. In contrast, a slight improvement (6.8%) in PCE was observed in the device with Mg2+(15)-TiO2/FTO. As a result, the Be2+-modified TiO2 electrode is a better choice than its Mg2+-modified counterpart for increasing the PCE. •Performance of DSSCs was increased by Be2+ modification of TiO2 surface.•Be2+ adsorbed on photoelectrode played a role of recombination retarder.•Reduced recombination led to an increase in Jsc, Voc and FF.•Be2+-modified TiO2 was a better choice than Mg2+-modified one for increasing the efficiency. Be2+ and Mg2+ ions were adsorbed on a TiO2 surface, and the resulting photoelectrodes were applied in dye-sensitized solar cells. Be2+ modification led to an increase in electron collection, electron injection, and dye regeneration efficiency, thereby increasing the short-circuit current. It was also found that the enhancements in both open-circuit voltage and fill factor of the device with Be2+-modified TiO2 were due to the reduced charge recombination between the photoinjected electrons and I3−. Be2+ modification resulted in an approximately 14% improvement in power conversion efficiency, whereas charge recombination was barely reduced in the case of Mg2+ modification.