Stable, high-efficiency ionic-liquid-based mesoscopic dye-sensitized solar cells

Small. 2007 Dec;3(12):2094-102. doi: 10.1002/smll.200700211.

Abstract

Efficient and stable mesoscopic dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) introducing a low-viscosity binary ionic liquid (1-propyl-3-methyl-imidazolium iodide (PMII) and 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium tetracyanoborate (EMIB(CN)(4))) electrolyte in combination with a new high-molar-extinction-coefficient ruthenium complex, Ru(2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid)(4,4'-bis(2-(4-tert-butyloxy -phenyl)ethenyl) -2,2'-bipyridine) (NCS)(2), are demonstrated. The dependence of photovoltaic performance, charge transport and electron lifetime on the composition of the binary ionic-liquid electrolyte with different ratios of PMII/EMIB(CN)(4) were investigated by electrochemical impedance and photovoltage transient techniques. A photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 7.6 % was obtained under simulated full sunlight illumination, which is a record for solvent-free DSCs. These devices exhibit excellent stability at 80 degrees C in the dark or under visible-light soaking at 60 degrees C during 1000 h of accelerated tests.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Coloring Agents / chemistry*
  • Diffusion
  • Electric Impedance
  • Electrolytes / chemistry
  • Electrons
  • Iodides / chemistry
  • Ionic Liquids / chemistry*
  • Kinetics
  • Oligopeptides / chemistry*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Phenylpropionates / chemistry
  • Solar Energy*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Coloring Agents
  • Electrolytes
  • Iodides
  • Ionic Liquids
  • N-methyl piperazine-Phe-homoPhe-vinylsulfone phenyl
  • Oligopeptides
  • Phenylpropionates
  • 3-phenylpropionic acid