Lab talk
Jan 19, 2011
Multiple dye layers expand the spectral response of solar cells
Scientists at Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) are investigating the selective positioning of dye layers on semiconductor film for use in dye-sensitized solar cells. Using this method, multi-layered panchromatic dye-sensitized solar cells can be achieved without any damage to the dye. Incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) measurements reveal that these solar cells exhibit an expanded spectral response to the solar spectrum and generate higher photocurrent density.
As shown in the figures above, the position of the dye layer on titania film can be controlled to effectively expand the spectral response of the solar cell. Specifically, the desorption depth can be directed by the number of repetitions of the desorption process.
In the study, the team was able to adjust the layer thickness to optimize the photocurrent. Additionally, dye layers of three and over can be stacked using this technique.
The researchers anticipate that the method will be widely available commercially due to its easy preparation and wide range of application.
Full details can be found in the journal Nanotechnology.
About the author
The study was conducted by the Solar Cell Center at Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST). The centre is researching organic, inorganic and hybrid thin-film solar cells. Se woong Park is a research scientist at KIST. He performed the multi-layered dye-sensitized solar cell and the reproducible and highly efficient solar cell. Kyungkon Kim, PhD, principle research scientist at KIST, is a group leader of the organic solar-cell team. Currently he is exploring a brand new approach to organic solar cells, especially organic polymer solar cells and dye-sensitized solar cells.
