Characterization of a dye-sensitised titania solar cell electrode
(2003) Characterization of a dye-sensitised titania solar cell electrode. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells 76(1):pp. 25-35.
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Abstract
We have characterised a dye-sensitised nanoporous nanocrystalline titania film used in prototype photoelectrochemical solar cell production. From Transmission Electron Microscopy the particles were seen as mixtures of tetrahedral and rhombohedral geometries with size distribution in the range between 10 and 25 nm. These particles were identified by X-ray Diffraction as nano-crystals of anatase and brookite phases. The film was sensitised with a ruthenium (II) based chromophore for different times (between 0.5 and 24 hours) and the penetration and coverage of the dye was studied using Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy. The dye was found to percolate through the whole of the titania film and was distributed uniformly. Using Rutherford Back Scattering, the composition of the film was determined and found to be 1 wt% Ru on maximum sensitisation. The optical properties of the dye-sensitised films were also measured which resulted in an increase of absorbance and a decrease of transmittance for dyeing times up to 8 hours. Beyond this time the values remained unchanged and thus a semi-transparent film with luminous transmittance between 0.12 and 0.60 were obtained.
| Item Type: | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| RM Number: | 2004001336 |
| Status: | Published |
| Keywords: | dye-sensitised titania; nanocrystalline; solar cell; optical properties |
| Subjects: | 290000 Engineering and Technology > 291400 Materials Engineering > 291499 Materials Engineering not elsewhere classified |
| ID Code: | 7724 |
| Deposited By: | Tesfamichael, Tuquabo |
| Deposited On: | 16 May 2007 |
| Alternative Locations: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0927-0248(02)00248-9 |
| Copyright Owner: | Copyright 2003 Elsevier |
| Copyright Statement: | Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. |