TIO2/dye/electrolyte interface modification for dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC), a new type of solar cell, have attracted widespread attention since they were first reported. The internal contact interfaces of DSC, especially TiO2/dye/electrolyte interfaces, have always been a focus of research in this field. The adsorption of photosensitizers, and the injection, transport, and recombination of photoelectrons, which occur at the interface, have a significant effect on the DSC performance. Modification of the TiO2/dye/electrolyte interface of DSC can effectively reduce dye aggregation, surpress electronic recombination, enhance electronic injection efficiency, and improve the transport rate, so it improves the photovoltaic performance and stability of the DSC. Modification can also affect the position of TiO2 conduction band, the adsorption behavior of the dye, and other parameters. In this article, researches on the methods and mechanism of TiO2/dye/electrolyte interface modification are reviewed. These include modification of TiO2 photoanodes by various methods, the introduction of co-adsorbents into the dye bath, the co-sensitization by different dyes, and the use of electrolyte additives with different functional mechanisms in the electrolyte. Finally, problems existed in application of these modification methods and future development directions are discussed. © Editorial office of Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica.