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Dyes and Redox Couples with Matched Energy Levels: Elimination of the Dye‐Regeneration Energy Loss in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Author(s) -
Jiang Dianlu,
Darabedian Narek,
Ghazarian Sevak,
Hao Yuanqiang,
Zhgamadze Maxim,
Majaryan Natalie,
Shen Rujuan,
Zhou Feimeng
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
chemphyschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.016
H-Index - 140
eISSN - 1439-7641
pISSN - 1439-4235
DOI - 10.1002/cphc.201500641
Subject(s) - dye sensitized solar cell , redox , chemistry , open circuit voltage , limiting , photochemistry , conjugated system , energy conversion efficiency , electrochemistry , analytical chemistry (journal) , electrode , materials science , inorganic chemistry , voltage , optoelectronics , organic chemistry , mechanical engineering , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering , electrolyte , polymer
In dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), a significant dye‐regeneration force (Δ G reg 0 ≥0.5 eV) is usually required for effective dye regeneration, which results in a major energy loss and limits the energy‐conversion efficiency of state‐of‐art DSSCs. We demonstrate that when dye molecules and redox couples that possess similar conjugated ligands are used, efficient dye regeneration occurs with zero or close‐to‐zero driving force. By using Ru(dcbpy)(bpy) 2 2+ as the dye and Ru(bpy) 2 (MeIm) 2 3+//2+ as the redox couple, a short‐circuit current ( J sc ) of 4 mA cm −2 and an open‐circuit voltage ( V oc ) of 0.9 V were obtained with a Δ G reg 0 of 0.07 eV. The same was observed for the N3 dye and Ru(bpy) 2 (SCN) 2 1+/0 (Δ G reg 0 =0.0 eV), which produced an J sc of 2.5 mA cm −2 and V oc of 0.6 V. Charge recombination occurs at pinholes, limiting the performance of the cells. This proof‐of‐concept study demonstrates that high V oc values can be attained by significantly curtailing the dye‐regeneration force.