Abstract
A major loss mechanism in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) is recombination at the TiO 2/electrolyte interface. Here we report a method to reduce greatly this loss mechanism. We deposit insulating and transparent silica (SiO 2) onto the open areas of a nanoparticulate TiO 2 surface while avoiding any deposition of SiO 2 over or under the organic dye molecules. The SiO 2 coating covers the highly convoluted surface of the TiO 2 conformally and with a uniform thickness throughout the thousands of layers of nanoparticles. DSCs incorporating these selective and self-aligned SiO 2 layers achieved a 36% increase in relative efficiency versus control uncoated cells.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 9537-9540 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Journal of the American Chemical Society |
Volume | 134 |
Issue number | 23 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 13 2012 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Catalysis
- Colloid and Surface Chemistry