Degradation mechanism of ZnO-based dye-sensitized solar cells

Zinc oxide (ZnO)-based dye-sensitized solar cell was fabricated and tested under constant solar simulator illumination until the photocurrent decreased. Electrolyte and dye were studied by Fourier transform infrared and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy, photoluminescence...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Solar energy materials and solar cells 2010-02, Vol.94 (2), p.323-326
Main Authors: Ke, Lin, Dolmanan, Surani Bin, Shen, Lu, Pallathadk, Pramoda Kumari, Zhang, Zheng, Ying Lai, Doreen Mei, Liu, Hong
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Absorption spectroscopy
Applied sciences
Degradation
Dye-sensitized solar cell
electrolytes
Energy
Exact sciences and technology
Fourier transforms
Interface
Mass spectroscopy
Microscopy
Natural energy
Photovoltaic conversion
Q1
solar cells
Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells
Solar energy
Spectroscopy
ZnO
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Summary:Zinc oxide (ZnO)-based dye-sensitized solar cell was fabricated and tested under constant solar simulator illumination until the photocurrent decreased. Electrolyte and dye were studied by Fourier transform infrared and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy, photoluminescence and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to study the degradation of ZnO. Secondary Ion Mass spectroscopy was used to analyze the structural change of the device during the degradation process. The degradation process of dye-sensitized solar cell is started when N3 dye slowly gets desorbed from the ZnO surface and gets incorporated into the electrolyte. Electron injection decreases with time as more dye gets desorbed. The degradation process is further accelerated when ions of Zn, O and In are diffused into the electrolyte as this process create defect vacancies on the ZnO nanorod surface. The stability of the semiconductor surface and interface between the semiconductor and dye are crucial to improve device lifetime.
ISSN:0927-0248
1879-3398
DOI:10.1016/j.solmat.2009.10.007