We report the synthesis and the optoelectronic characterization of three new 4H-pyran-4-ylidene and thiazole derivatives (pyt) as metal-free organic dyes for solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). We investigate the performance and the long-term stability of devices employing pyt dyes functionalized with carboxylic and phosphonic acids as TiO2 anchoring groups. In contrast to reports o...

Ethanol-soluble amphiphilic TiO(2) nanoparticles (NPs) of average diameter ∼9 nm were synthesized, and an α-terpineol-based TiO(2) paste was readily prepared from them in comparatively few steps. When used for fabrication of photoelectrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), the paste yielded highly transparent films and possessing greater-than-typical, thickness-normalized surface areas. ...

During the light-harvesting process of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), the hole localized on the dye after the charge separation yields an oxidized dye, D(+). The fast regeneration of D(+) using the redox pair (typically the I(-)/I3(-) couple) is critical for the efficient DSSCs. However, the kinetic processes of dye regeneration remain uncertain, still promoting vigorous debates. Here, we ...

A zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) derivative (Zn-tri-PcNc-8) containing tri-benzonaphtho-condensed porphyrazine with one carboxylic and six diphenylphenoxy peripheral substitutions was designed and synthesized as a sensitizer for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). For the purpose of extending the absorption spectra while minimizing the formation of ZnPc molecular aggregates, bulky 2,6-diphenylpheno...

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are a novel cell alternative characterized by lower toxicity using coordination transition metal compounds while providing high performance benchmarks, such as power conversion efficiency. Particular attention should be paid to containing Cu, which can act both dyes and redox mediators, even though relying on other metals also frequently reported. In this pape...

We propose the concept of structured single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) for the applications of heterojunction solar cells and dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The structure of SWNTs was controlled and modified by a simple water vapor treatment, which was originally developed by our group. Compared with the graphene-Si solar cell and the SWNT-Si solar cell using the random-oriented SWNT ...

We introduce a new photoelectrode architecture consisting of concentric conducting and semiconducting nanotubes for use in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Atomic layer deposition is employed to grow indium tin oxide (ITO) within a porous template and subsequently coat the high area photoelectrode with amorphous TiO 2. Compared with control devices lacking a current collector within the pore...

We use free-standing TiO2 nanotube membranes that are transferred onto FTO slides in front-side illuminated dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). We investigate the key parameters for solar cell arrangement of self-ordered anodic TiO2 nanotube layers on the FTO substrate, namely the influence of the annealing procedure on the DSSC light conversion efficiency. The results show that using an optima...

A new approach for developing solid-state dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs) on glass/ITO and plastic substrates (PEN/ITO) is presented in this manuscript. A two step electrodeposition technique has been employed to realize the ZnO photoelectrodes. First a ZnO thin film is deposited on the ITO substrate and subsequently on this buffer layer 650 nm long ZnO nanowires are grown. The different nan...

A novel porous fluorine doped tin oxide (PFTO) conductive framework was introduced to counter electrodes (CEs) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). When modified by platinum (Pt) or carbon (C), the PFTO conductive framework displays high catalytic activity to I(-)/I3(-) redox couples. Power conversion efficiencies of 6.09% and 5.81% were obtained in the DSSCs based on Pt and C modified PFTO ...