A perspective on using experiment and theory to identify design principles in dye-sensitized solar cells

Holliman, PJ; Kershaw, C; Connell, A; Jones, EW; Hobbs, R; Anthony, RVE; Furnell, L; McGettrick, J; Geatches, D; Metz, S

Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) have been the subject of wide-ranging studies for many
years because of their potential for large-scale manufacturing using roll-to-roll processing
allied to their use of earth abundant raw materials. Two main challenges exist for DSC
devices to achieve this goal; uplifting device efficiency from the 12 to 14% currently
achieved for laboratory-scale ‘hero’ cells and replacement of the widely-used liquid
electrolytes which can limit device lifetimes. To increase device efficiency requires optimized
dye injection and regeneration, most likely from multiple dyes while replacement
of liquid electrolytes requires solid charge transporters (most likely hole transport materials
– HTMs). While theoretical and experimental work have both been widely applied to
different aspects of DSC research, these approaches are most effective when working in
tandem. In this context, this perspective paper considers the key parameters which
influence electron transfer processes in DSC devices using one or more dye molecules
and how modelling and experimental approaches can work together to optimize electron
injection and dye regeneration.
This paper provides a perspective that theory and experiment are best used in tandem to study
DSC devices

Citation

Holliman, P., Kershaw, C., Connell, A., Jones, E., Hobbs, R., Anthony, R., …Metz, S. (2018). A perspective on using experiment and theory to identify design principles in dye-sensitized solar cells. Science and Technology of Advanced Materials, 19(1), 599-612. https://doi.org/10.1080/14686996.2018.1492858

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 21, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Aug 23, 2018
• Publication Date: Aug 23, 2018
• Deposit Date: Apr 20, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 20, 2020
• Journal: Science and Technology of Advanced Materials
• Print ISSN: 1468-6996
• Electronic ISSN: 1878-5514
• Publisher: National Institute for Materials Science
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 599-612
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14686996.2018.1492858
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14686996.2018.1492858
• Related Public URLs: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tsta20
• Additional Information: Funders : Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC); Projects : Surface Engineering Solid State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells; Grant Number: EP/M015254/1