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Thiophene–nitroxide radical as a novel combination of sensitizer–redox mediator for dye-sensitized solar cells

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Abstract

We report a novel combination of organic sensitizer and redox mediator in the electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs): a thiophene dye and nitroxide radicals. Nitroxide radicals and their oxidized counterparts of oxoammonium cations show robust reversible redox reactions, thus supporting robust DSSC operations. Moreover, their redox potentials (E 1/2) and thus open-circuit voltages (V OC) can be tuned further by attached functional groups. Optical and electrochemical characterization reveal that these new combinations exhibit enhanced V OC and power conversion efficiencies compared to the existing iodine mediator (I−/I −3 ) due to the increased V OC. Also, the selection of the sensitizer–redox mediator turns out to be critical in the overall cell performance. Indeed, the typical ruthenium dye loses its light absorption capability when it is operated in conjunction with the nitroxide radicals.

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Acknowledgment

We acknowledge the financial support from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Republic of Korea through the Brain Korea 21 (BK 21) project and the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation grant (WCU program, 31-2008-000-10055-0). And also we acknowledge the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government (MEST) for the financial support (NRT-2010-0029031).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (BK21 Graduate Program), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 373-1, Guseong-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-701, Republic of Korea

    Jun Young Lee & Jung-Ki Park

  2. R&D Center, Dongjin Semichem Co. Ltd, 625-3 Yodang-Ri, Yanggam-Myun, Whasung-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, 445-931, Republic of Korea

    Chongchan Lee

  3. Department of Applied Chemistry, Hanbat National University, San 16-1, Deokmyeong-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-719, Republic of Korea

    Yong Min Lee

  4. Division of Advanced Materials Engineering and Institute of Rare Metals, Kongju National University, 275 Budae-dong, Cheonan, Chungnam, 331-717, Republic of Korea

    Kuk Young Cho

  5. Graduate School of EEWS, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 373-1 Guseong-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-701, Republic of Korea

    Jang Wook Choi & Jung-Ki Park

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  1. Jun Young Lee
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  2. Chongchan Lee
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  3. Yong Min Lee
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  5. Jang Wook Choi
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Correspondence to Jang Wook Choi or Jung-Ki Park.

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Lee, J.Y., Lee, C., Lee, Y.M. et al. Thiophene–nitroxide radical as a novel combination of sensitizer–redox mediator for dye-sensitized solar cells. J Solid State Electrochem 16, 657–663 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-011-1405-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-011-1405-9

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