Reflectometry as a tool for studying dye molecule orientation in dyesensitised solar cells (DSCs)
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Date
2014-02-06
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Australian Institute of Physics
Abstract
With world energy demand set to double by 2050, it is imperative that clean, efficient and cost-effective alternatives to fossil fuels are developed. Dye-sensitised Solar Cells (DSCs) are a positive step towards a low-cost, mass-producible source of photovoltaic power, with laboratory devices now capable of reaching efficiencies of up to 15%. Typical DSCs consist of a dye-sensitised semiconductor surrounded by a redox electrolyte and sandwiched between two transparent, conductive substrates. The dye is the principle light adsorber, injecting photo-excited electrons into the semiconductor conduction band and giving rise to the cells electrical characteristics. The electron injection is enabled by the dye’s physical and electrostatic interaction with the semiconductor surface and the nature of this interaction can have a major impact on the cell’s performance. Many dye species have been trialled in DSCs in efforts to improve these characteristics, however, the fundamental properties of dye orientation and molecular packing on the semiconductor surface remain widely unknown. X-ray reflectometry (XRR) has already been successfully applied to this field of DSCs but application of reflectometry to a fully functioning DSC has still yet to be realised. This presentation will discuss results obtained using X-ray reflectometry to study the dye-orientations and packing densities for a number of different dye systems. Further discussion on the development of procedures to then apply neutron reflectometry to study a fully functioning dye-sensitised solar cell will then be examined.
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Keywords
Direct energy converters, Electrodes, Electrons, Elementary particles, Equipment, Fermions, Leptons, Materials, Photoelectric cells, Photovoltaic cells, Solar cells, Solar radiation
Citation
McCree-Grey, J., & Cole, J. M. (2014). Reflectometry as a tool for studying dye molecule orientation in dye-sensitised solar cells (DSCs). Poster presented to the 38th Annual Condensed Matter and Materials Meeting 2014, Waiheke Island Resort, Waiheke, Auckland, New Zealand, 4th February - 7th February, 2014, (pp.101). Retrieved from: https://physics.org.au/wp-content/uploads/cmm/2014/Wagga2014proceedings.pdf