Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

A new method for improving the performance of dye sensitized solar cell using macro-porous silicon as photoanode

  • Published:
Journal of Porous Materials Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper presents a novel method to improve the function of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The proposed method includes use of macro-porous silicon (PSi) as a photoanode for DSSC. The photoanode, PSi, was fabricated by a simple electrochemical anodization process. The effects of the obtained PSi-based photoanode on the DSSC performance are investigated by using photocurrent-voltage, UV–visible spectroscopy, and reflectance spectroscopy measurements. The results show that the macro-porous structure in the PSi-based photoanode not only increases internal surface area in the photoanode, but also functions as an anti-reflective/light-trapping layer. Macro-porous structure leads to the both enhancement of photoanode dye loading capacity and increasing the optical path length of the incident light inside the photoanode. This way, macro-porous structure plays an important role in the improvement of light harvesting efficiency. The optimal power conversion efficiency of 3.56 and 3.93 % (spin coated and sputtered TiO2 respectively) is obtained from the PSi-based DSSC, with 58 and 75 % improvement in the efficiency as compared to a fabricated conventional DSSC. The measurement results suggest that exploiting PSi in the structure of photoanode raises hopes for low-cost and high-performance production of hybrid Si/dye solar cells in the future.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. M. Taylor, G. Simbolotti, G. Tossato, Solar photovoltaic: technology Brief IEA-ETSAP and IRENA E11 (2013), www.etsap.org, www.irena.org

  2. G. Masson, M. Latour, D. Biancardi, global market outlook for photovoltaic till 2016-European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) (2012), www.epia.org

  3. D.M. Bagnall, M. Boreland, Energy Policy 36, 4390 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. B. O’Regan, M. Gratzel, Nature 353, 737 (1991)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. M.K. Nazeeruddin, A. Kay, I. Rodocio, R. Humphry-Baker, E. Muller, P. Liska, N. Vlachopoulos, M. Gratzel, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 115, 6382 (1993)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. M. Gratzel, Nature 414, 338 (2001)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. F. Gao, Y. Wang, J. Zhang, D. Shi, M. Wang, M. Humphry-Baker, P. Wang, S.M. Zakeeruddin, M. Grätzel, Chem. Commun. 23, 2635 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. J. Burschka, N.W. Pellet, M.K. Nazeeruddin, M. Gratzel, Nature 499, 316 (2013)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. M.K. Nazeeruddin, P. Pechy, M. Gratzel, Chem. Commun. 18, 1705 (1997)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. P. Wang, S.M. Zakeeruddin, J.E. Moser, M.K. Nazeeruddin, T. Sekiguchi, M. Gratzel, Nat. Mater. 2, 402 (2003)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. P. Wang, C. Klein, R. Humphy-Baker, S.M. Zakeeruddin, M. Gratzel, Appl. Phys. Lett. 86, 123508 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. T. Mayer, U. Weiler, C. Kelting, D. Schlettwein, S. Makarov, D. Wohrle, O. Abdallah, M. Kunst, W. Jaegermann, Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells 91, 1873 (2007)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. T. Mayer, U. Weiler, E. Mankel, W. Jaegermann, C. Kelting, D. Schlettwein, N. Baziakina, D. Wohrle, Organic–inorganic hybrid composites for photovoltaics: organic guest molecules embedded in μc-Si and ZnSe host matrices. Renew. Energy 33, 262–266 (2008)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. S. Burdorf, G.H. Bauer, R. Brüggemann, Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells 99, 345 (2012)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. T. Nagata, H. Murakami, Ulvac Tech. J. 70, 1–5 (2009). (English)

    Google Scholar 

  16. S. Hao, J. Wu, Z. Sun, Thin Solid Films 520, 2102 (2012)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. B. Ohms, A. Kleine, U. Hilleringmann, Increasing the efficiency of solar cells by combining silicon- and dye sensitized devices, in Proceedings of International Conference on Renewable Energies and Power Quality (ICREPQ’12) (Spain), 28–30 March 2012

  18. S. Ito, S.M. Zakeeruddin, R. Humphry-Baker, P. Liska, R. Charvet, P. Comte, M.K. Nazeeruddin, P. Pechy, M. Takata, H. Miura, S. Uchida, M. Gratzel, Adv. Mater. 18, 1202 (2006)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. A.G. Agrios, I. Cesar, P. Comte, M.K. Nazeeruddin, M. Gratzel, Chem. Mater. 18, 5395 (2006)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. K.M. Lee, V. Suryanarayanan, K.C. Ho, Sol. Energy Mat. Sol. Cells 90, 2398 (2006)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Z.S. Wang, H. Kawauchi, T. Kashima, H. Arakawa, Coord. Chem. Rev. 248, 1381 (2004)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. F. Huang, D. Chen, X.L. Zhang, R.A. Caruso, Y.B. Cheng, Adv. Funct. Mater. 20, 1301 (2010)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. S. Hore, E. Palomares, H. Smit, N.J. Bakker, P. Comte, P. Liska, K.R. Thampi, J.M. Kroon, A. Hinsch, J.R. Durrant, J. Mater. Chem. 15, 412 (2005)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. S.Q. Hussain, S. Ahn, H. Park, G. Kwon, J. Raja, Y. Lee, N. Balaji, H. Kim, A.H.T. Le, J. Yi, Vacuum 94, 87 (2013)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. S.Y. Wu, Y.H. Chen, K.C. Chen, J.L. He, Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 49–092301, 1 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  26. L. Chen, M.M. Alkaisi, M.Y. Liao, Fabrication of dye sensitized solar cell with surface textured substrate, in Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC) (Honolulu, HI, 2010) pp. 003275–003279

  27. S. Wooh, H. Yoon, J.H. Jung, Y.G. Lee, J.H. Koh, B. Lee, Y.S. Kang, K. Char, Adv. Mater. 25, 3111 (2013)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. N.G. Park, J. Electrochem. Sci. Technol. 1, 69 (2010)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. X.D. Gao, X.M. Li, X.Y. Gan, in Solar Cells—Research and Application Perspectives, ed. by A. Morales-Acevedo (Intechopen Europe, Rijeka, 2013), p. 169

    Google Scholar 

  30. A. Mihi, F.J. Lopez-Alcaraz, H. Migueza, Appl. Phys. Lett. 88, 193110 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. M.J. Sailor, Porous Silicon in Practice: Preparation: Characterization and Applications (Wiley, New York, 2012)

    Google Scholar 

  32. A. Langner, F. Muller, U. Gosele, in Molecular- and Nano-Tubes, ed. by O. Hayden, K. Nielsch (Springer, New York, 2011), p. 431

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  33. Z. Gaburro, N. Daldosso, L. Pavesi, in Encyclopedia of condensed matter Physics (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 2005), pp. 391–401

  34. A.G. Nassiopoulou, in Nanostructured and Advanced Materials for Applications in Sensor, ed. by A. Vaseashta, D. Dimova-Malinovska, J.M. Marshall (Springer, Netherlands, 2005), p. 189

    Google Scholar 

  35. R.J. Martin-Palma, L. Vazquez, J.M. Martinez-Duart, M. Schnell, S. Schaefer, Semicond. Sci. Technol. 16, 657 (2001)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. F. Fonthal, I. Torres, A. Rodriguez, J. Mater. Sci. Mater. Electron. 22, 895 (2011)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. H. Kwon, J. Lee, M. Kim, S. Lee, ISRN Nanotechnol 2011, 716409 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. M. Nazari, S. Khatami, Sens. Mater. 25, 131 (2013)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. S. Ito, T.N. Murakami, P. Comte, P. Liska, C. Grätzel, M.K. Nazeeruddin, M. Grätzel, Thin Solid Films 516, 4613 (2008)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Y.S. Jin, K.H. Kim, H.W. Choi, J. Korean Phys. Soc. 57, 1049 (2010)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. A. Sharma, R.K. Karn, S.K. Pandiyan, Int. J. Appl. Eng. Res. 8, 2057 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  42. K. Onoda, S. Ngamsinlapasathian, T. Fujieda, S. Yoshikawa, Sol. Energy Mat. Sol. Cells 91, 1176 (2007)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. S. Conoci, S. Petralia, P. Samorì, F.M. Raymo, S.D. Bella, S. Sortino, Optically transparent. Adv. Funct. Mater. 16, 1425 (2006)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Y. Wang, C. Zhao, D. Qin, M. Wu, W. Liu, T. Ma, J. Mater. Chem. 22, 22155 (2012)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. S. Colodrero, M.E. Calvo, H. Miguez, ed. By R. D. Rugescu, (Intechopen Europe, Croatia, 2010), p. 413

  46. S. Ito, T. Kitamura, Y. Wada, S. Yanagida, Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells 76, 3 (2003)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. J. Nissfolk, K. Fredin, A. Hagfeldt, G. Boschloo, J. Phys. Chem. B 110, 17715 (2006)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. M. Gratzel, Acc. Chem. Res. 42, 1788 (2009)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. S.M. Kong, Y. Xiao, K.H. Kim, W.I. Lee, C.W. Chung, Thin Solid Films 519, 3173 (2011)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. F. Wang, N.K. Subbaiyan, Q. Wang, C. Rochford, G. Xu, R. Lu, A. Elliot, F. Dsouza, R. Hui, J. Wu, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 4, 1565 (2012)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. T. Xu, US patent # 2011-0232759-A1, (2011)

  52. B.O. Aduda, P. Ravirajan, K.L. Choy, J. Nelson, Int. J. Photoenergy 6, 141 (2004)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. M.M. Gomez, N. Beermann, J. Lu, E. Olsson, A. Hagfeldt, G.A. Niklasson, C.G. Granqvist, Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells 76, 37 (2003)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, 424 Hafez Avenue, 15875-4413, Tehran, Iran

    Mehdi Aliaghayee, Hassan Ghafoori Fard & Ashkan Zandi

Authors
  1. Mehdi Aliaghayee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hassan Ghafoori Fard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ashkan Zandi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hassan Ghafoori Fard.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Aliaghayee, M., Ghafoori Fard, H. & Zandi, A. A new method for improving the performance of dye sensitized solar cell using macro-porous silicon as photoanode. J Porous Mater 22, 1617–1626 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10934-015-0045-3

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10934-015-0045-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation