In situ monitoring and optimization of room temperature ultra-fast sensitization for dye-sensitized solar cells.

We describe the fastest dyeing of TiO2 photo-electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells reported to date (<2 min) at room temperature giving η = 7.5% for an N719-SQ1-CDCA mixture which is significantly higher than devices dyed for >12 h using the same dye mixture (η = 5.5%). Time-lapse photography has been used to monitor the ultra-fast co-sensitization. The data show significantly different dye uptake between passive and pump dyeing reflecting competitive sorption between a Ru complex (N719) and an organic dye (SQ1).