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Efficient Transparent Thin Dye Solar Cells Based on Highly Porous 1D Photonic Crystals
Author(s) -
Colodrero Silvia,
Forneli Amparo,
LópezLópez Carmen,
Pellejà Laia,
Míguez Hernán,
Palomares Emilio
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201102159
Subject(s) - materials science , photocurrent , photonic crystal , electrode , optoelectronics , energy conversion efficiency , photonics , porosity , solar cell , dye sensitized solar cell , crystal (programming language) , porous medium , electrolyte , composite material , chemistry , computer science , programming language
Abstract A working electrode design based on a highly porous 1D photonic crystal structure that opens the path towards high photocurrents in thin, transparent, dye‐sensitized solar cells is presented. By enlarging the average pore size with respect to previous photonic crystal designs, the new working electrode not only increases the device photocurrent, as predicted by theoretical models, but also allows the observation of an unprecedented boost of the cell photovoltage, which can be attributed to structural modifications caused during the integration of the photonic crystal. These synergic effects yield conversion efficiencies of around 3.5% by using just 2 μm thick electrodes, with enhancements between 100% and 150% with respect to reference cells of the same thickness.