| 1. |
- Bi, Dongqin, et al.
(author)
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Improved Morphology Control Using a Modified Two-Step Method for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells
- 2014
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In: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1944-8244 .- 1944-8252. ; 6:21, s. 18751-18757
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A two-step wet chemical synthesis method for methylammonium lead(II) triiodide (CH3NH3PbI3) perovskite is further developed for the preparation of highly reproducible solar cells, with the following structure: fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO)/TiO2 (compact)/TiO2 (mesoporous)/CH3NH3PbI3/spiro-OMeTAD/Ag. The morphology of the perovskite layer could be controlled by careful variation of the processing conditions. Specifically, by modifying the drying process and inclusion of a dichloromethane treatment, more uniform films could be prepared, with longer emission lifetime in the perovskite material and longer electron lifetime in solar cell devices, as well as faster electron transport and enhanced charge collection at the selective contacts. Solar cell efficiencies up to 13.5% were obtained.
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| 2. |
- El-Zohry, Ahmed, et al.
(author)
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Isomerization and Aggregation of the Solar Cell Dye D149
- 2012
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In: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1932-7447 .- 1932-7455. ; 116:50, s. 26144-26153
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- D149, a metal-free indoline dye, is one of the most promising sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and has shown very high solar energy conversion efficiencies of 9%. Effective electron injection from the excited state is a prerequisite for high efficiencies and is lowered by competing deactivation pathways. Previous investigations have shown surprisingly short-lived excited states for this dye, with maximum lifetime components of 100-720 ps in different solvents and less than 120 ps for surface-adsorbed D149. Using steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence, we have investigated the photochemical properties of D149 in nonpolar and polar solvents, polymer matrices, and adsorbed on ZrO2, partially including a coadsorbent. In solution, excitation to the S-2 state yields a product that is identified as a photoisomer. The reaction is reversible, and the involved double-bond is identified by NMR spectroscopy. Our results further show that lifetimes of 100-330 ps in the solvents used are increased to more than 2 ns for D149 in polymer matrices and on ZrO2. This is in part attributed to blocked internal motion due to steric constraint. Conversely, concentration-dependent aggregation leads to a dramatic reduction in lifetimes that can affect solar cell performance. Our results explain the unexpectedly short lifetimes observed previously. We also show that photochemical properties such as lifetimes determined in solution are different from the ones determined on semiconductor surfaces used in solar cells. The obtained mechanistic understanding should help develop design strategies for further improvement of solar cell dyes.
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| 3. |
- El-Zohry, Ahmed M., et al.
(author)
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Concentration and Solvent Effects on the Excited State Dynamics of the Solar Cell Dye D149 : The Special Role of Protons
- 2013
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In: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1932-7447 .- 1932-7455. ; 117:13, s. 6544-6553
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- D149 is one of the best-performing metal-free, organic dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells. Excited state lifetimes strongly depend on the solvent used and have previously been reported to be between 100 and 700 ps, without any mechanistic explanation being given. We have earlier shown that photo-isomerization is one of several deactivation processes. Here, we report that lifetimes in certain solvents depend on concentration, even in very dilute (nanomolar) solutions. A detailed investigation of the concentration dependence enables us to assign a second, faster deactivation channel besides isomerization that reduces lifetimes further: a ground-state, hydrogen-bonded 1:1 complex of D149 with acids or interaction with protic solvents leads to excited state quenching, most probably through excited state proton transfer. This includes self-quenching caused by D149's own carboxylic group through intermolecular interaction, accounting for the concentration-dependent lifetimes. We are now able to dissect the complex excited state behavior into its components, allowing us to attribute rate constants to the isomerization and the excited-state proton transfer process. We are also able to explain the excited state of D149 in a wide range of environmental conditions, in the presence of acids/bases, at different concentrations as well as with varying temperatures. Furthermore, we determine the barrier for isomerization, a thermally activated process. The consequences of these effects on solar cells are discussed. Also we show that ultrafast techniques like femtosecond pump probe and upconversion inherently do not provide the required responsiveness for work with the concentration ranges required here, whereas single photon counting with its ultimate sensitivity is able to resolve the underlying processes.
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| 4. |
- Zietz, Burkhard, et al.
(author)
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Photoisomerization of the cyanoacrylic acid acceptor group - a potential problem for organic dyes in solar cells
- 2014
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In: Physical Chemistry, Chemical Physics - PCCP. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1463-9076 .- 1463-9084. ; 16:6, s. 2251-2255
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Organic solar cell dyes containing the most common anchoring group, cyanoacrylic acid, are shown to be photolabile and undergo photoisomerization. This may have significant consequences for dye-sensitized solar cells, as isomerisation competes with electron injection and leads to modifications of the dye and surface arrangement.
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