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Optimization of electrolyte co-additives, TiO2 thickness, and dye concentration for the enhanced performance of dye-sensitized solar cells

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Abstract

The performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) primarily depends upon many factors, such as the thickness of the semiconductor layer at the working electrode, dye/sensitizer concentration, and electrolyte. A methodical study is required in one place to deliberate the impact of all these factors on DSSC performance for better understanding and further advancement of the technology. This work emphasizes optimizing the absorption layer, specifically investigating the relationship between the thickness of the TiO2 layer and the concentration of N719 dye. The objective is to elucidate the interconnected effects of these parameters on the overall performance of the device. Additionally, the optimization of electrolyte composition was done with varying concentrations of additives, such as iodine, 4-tert-butyl-pyridine (TBP), guanidinium thiocyanate (GuNCS), and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide (BMII) of electrolyte. Initially, the devices with varying TiO2 absorption layers were fabricated. The efficiency, fill factor (FF), open-circuit voltage (VOC), and short-circuit current (ISC) of devices were studied. The drop in open-circuit voltage (VOC) was noticed with the increase in thickness of the TiO2 layer. The highest efficiency was observed at 7.17% with the device fabricated using 6 absorption layer (17.46 μm) of TiO2, 0.7 mM concentration of N719 dye, and 0.03-M iodine, 0.1-M GuNCS, 0.5-M TBP, and 0.6-M BMII in electrolyte. Future developments in this research could focus on further fine-tuning these parameters for improved efficiency and exploring additional innovations in DSSC technology, ultimately contributing to the advancement of sustainable and efficient solar energy conversion systems.

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Acknowledgements

Authors thank ‘Central Analytical Facilities (CAF)’ and ‘Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility (SAIF),’ Manipal University Jaipur for providing the materials characterization facility. NT and VSD acknowledge the funding support from the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), India, under Grant No. [EMR/2016/006259] and PKS acknowledge to Grant no. [CRG/2021/002477-G].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Solar Energy Conversion and Nanomaterials Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Manipal University Jaipur, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303007, India

    Neeraj Tomar & Praveen K. Surolia

  2. Department of Computer and Communication Engineering, Manipal University Jaipur, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303007, India

    Vijaypal Singh Dhaka

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  1. Neeraj Tomar
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  2. Vijaypal Singh Dhaka
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  3. Praveen K. Surolia
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Contributions

NT performed formal analysis, investigation, and wrote the original draft. VSD contributed to conceptualization and resources. PKS was involved in the supervision and review & editing of the original draft.

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Correspondence to Vijaypal Singh Dhaka or Praveen K. Surolia.

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Tomar, N., Dhaka, V.S. & Surolia, P.K. Optimization of electrolyte co-additives, TiO2 thickness, and dye concentration for the enhanced performance of dye-sensitized solar cells. J Appl Electrochem (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-024-02124-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-024-02124-w

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