Title :
Photochemical solar cells based on dye-sensitization of nanocrystalline TiO2
Author :
Deb, S.K. ; Ferrere, S. ; Frank, A.J. ; Gregg, B.A. ; Huang, S.Y. ; Nozik, A.J. ; Schlichthorl, G. ; Zaban, A.
Author_Institution :
Nat. Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO, USA
fDate :
29 Sep-3 Oct 1997
Abstract :
A new type of photovoltaic cell is described. It is a photoelectrochemical device that is based on the dye-sensitization of thin (10-20 μm) nanocrystalline films of TiO2 nanoparticles in contact with a nonaqueous liquid electrolyte. The cell is very simple to fabricate and, in principle, its color can be tuned through the visible spectrum, ranging from being completely transparent to black opaque by changing the absorption characteristics of the dye. The highest present efficiency of the dye-sensitized photochemical solar cell is about 11%. The cell has the potential to be a low-cost photovoltaic option. Unique applications include photovoltaic power windows and photoelectrochromic windows
Keywords :
electrolytes; nanostructured materials; photoelectrochemical cells; photoelectrochemistry; solar cells; titanium compounds; 10 to 20 mum; 11 percent; TiO2; TiO2 nanoparticles; applications; dye absorption characteristics; dye-sensitization; nonaqueous liquid electrolyte; photochemical solar cells; photoelectrochemical device; photoelectrochromic windows; photovoltaic power windows; thin nanocrystalline films; Counting circuits; Electrodes; Electrons; Photochemistry; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaic systems; Renewable energy resources; Research and development; Solar power generation; Spontaneous emission;
Conference_Titel :
Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 1997., Conference Record of the Twenty-Sixth IEEE
Conference_Location :
Anaheim, CA
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-3767-0
DOI :
10.1109/PVSC.1997.654139
