Search

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) are devices to solar energy conversion, which present low production costs and high photoelectrochemical stability. The aim of this study was to investigate the synthesis of TiO2 by Pechini methodology, using C12H28O4Ti and TiCl3 as precursors, and their application in solar cell sensitized by N719 dye. The characterization techniques employed were Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), UV-VIS Spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), photochronoamperometry, j-V Curves and EIS plots. The results demonstrated a high crystallinity and surface area to particles obtained with C12H28O4Ti as precursor. The highest photoconversion energy efficiency reached was to TiO2 using C12H28O4Ti with PCE= 4.17±0.13% with photoelectrochemical parameters of jsc= 5.53 ±0.08, Voc= 0.78±0.07 FF=0.58±0.05 and less resistive to charge transport with te= 53 ms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investment in renewable energy sources has increased in recent decades because of the environmental impact caused by the non-renewable energy sources burning. Regarding to the available renewable energy technologies, the conversion of solar energy into electrical energy using photovoltaic devices, especially dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC), stands out. In this study, we investigated the recombination reactions of DSSCs containing ZnO and Nb 2 O 5 using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, intensity modulated photovoltage spectroscopy, intensity modulated photocurrent spectroscopy, and charge extraction. The addition of Nb 2 O 5 to the ZnO cells reduced recombination effects, and the 5% Nb 2 O 5 cell presented the best photovoltaic parameters, having an electron lifetime of 0.18 s, collection time of 0.01 s, and efficiency of 2.39%. Image 1 • Niobium pentoxide is capable of enhancing the efficiency of a photovoltaic device. • Photoinjected charges were maximized in conduction band of the main oxide, due the Nb 2 O 5 addition. • Electron lifetime and collection time were changed by the Nb 2 O 5 addition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]