Preparation and properties of dye-sensitized solar cell using chlorophyll derivative immobilized TiO2 film electrode

A dye-sensitized solar cell using the visible light sensitization of chlorophyll-a derivative, chlorine-e6 (Chl-e6) immobilized on TiO2 film was developed. From fluorescence spectrum of Chl-e6 immobilized on TiO2 film, the emission of Chl-e6 was effectively quenched by TiO2, indicating that the effective electron injection from the excited singlet state of Chl-e6 into the conduction band of TiO2 occurred. The short-circuit photocurrent density (ISC), the open-circuit photovoltage (VOC), and the fill factor (FF) of solar cell consisting of Chl-e6 immobilized on TiO2 film electrode and platinum-coated substrate electrode were estimated to be 1.47 mA cm−2, 425 mV, and 57.0%, respectively. IPCE values were reached a maximum around the wavelength of absorption maximum (11.0% at 400 nm, 4.7% at 541 nm and 7.9% at 661 nm), indicating that the dye-sensitized solar cell using visible light sensitization of TiO2 film by Chl-e6 was developed.