We review the concepts and methods of modeling of the dye-sensitized solar cell, starting from fundamental electron transfer theory, and using phenomenological transport-conservation equations. The models revised here are aimed at describing the components of the current-voltage curve of the solar cell, based on small perturbation experimental methods, and to such an end, a range of phenomena o...

Spray deposition of powder suspensions followed by room temperature compression was studied as a method for preparing nanostructured TiO2 films for dye-sensitized solar cells. The structure of the films was analyzed with optical and scanning electron microscopy and the films were applied to dye-sensitized solar cells. Continuous and fast deposition of crack-free 7–14 mm thick films was achieved...

The potential of room-temperature molten salts (ionic liquids) as solvents for electrolytes for dye-sensitized solar cells has been investigated during the last decade. The non-volatility, good solvent properties and high electrochemical stability of ionic liquids make them attractive solvents in contrast to volatile organic solvents. Despite this, the relatively high viscosity of ionic liquids...

We have successfully introduced green phosphors LaPO4:Ce, Tb (G4) or (Mg, Zn)Al11O19:Eu (G2) into TiO2 photoelectrode of dye-sensitized solar cells. The conversion efficiency of the G4-doped device was enhanced by 30% compared with the pristine TiO2 photoelectrode. The green phosphor doped at 5-wt.% ratio contributed to the reduction of resistances of the surface and interface of the photoelect...

Large-sized titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotube arrays with an outer diameter of approximately 500 nm have been successfully synthesized by potentiostatic anodization at 180 V in a used electrolyte with the addition of 1.5 M lactic acid. It is found that the synthesized large-diameter TiO2 nanotube array shows a superior light scattering ability, which can be used as a light scattering layer to si...

We studied the influence of the hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain length of amphiphilic ruthenium dyes on the device performance in solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells. We found that the dyes with longer hydrocarbon chains gave higher efficiency values when used as a sensitizer in solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells. With increasing chain length, we observed higher currents and open-circuit v...

One-dimensional titania nanostructures can serve as a support for light absorbing molecules and result in an improvement in the short circuit current (Jsc) and open circuit voltage (Voc) as a nanostructured and high-surface-area material in dye-sensitized solar cells. Here, self-assembled amyloid-like peptide nanofibers were exploited as an organic template for the growth of one-dimensional tit...

A novel class of organic D-pi-A dyes employing a N,N,N',N'-tetraphenylbenzidine (TPD) unit as donor was designed and synthesized for dye-sensitized solar cells, which achieved a solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency (eta) of 5.63% in preliminary tests as compared to 6.42% for N3 dye under the same experimental conditions.

Novel organic dyes based on the phenothiazine (PTZ) chromophore were designed and synthesized for dye-sensitized solar cells, which give solar energy-to-electricity conversion efficiency (eta) of up to 5.5% in comparison with the reference Ru-complex (N3 dye) with an eta value of 6.2% under similar experimental conditions.