Lead-sulphide quantum-dot sensitization of tin oxide based hybrid solar cells

Solar Energy 85:6 (2011) 1283-1290

Authors:

HJ Snaith, A Stavrinadis, P Docampo, AAR Watt

Abstract:

We have fabricated infrared active hybrid solar cells composed of mesoporous SnO2 sensitized with PbS nanoparticles and infiltrated with organic hole-transporters, 2,2',7,7'-tetrakis(N,N-di-p-methoxypheny-amine)-9,9'-spirobifluorene(spiro-OMeTAD) or poly(3-hexylthiophene). We observe photo-action to 1100nm, peak quantum-efficiency over 20%, open-circuit voltages up to 0.5V and power conversion efficiencies of over 0.5% under simulated sun light. As compared to solar cells composed of mesoporous TiO2 sensitized with the same PbS nanoparticles, the SnO2 based devices generate 4 times the photocurrent density under simulated sun light. © 2011.

An inter-laboratory stability study of roll-to-roll coated flexible polymer solar modules

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells Elsevier 95:5 (2011) 1398-1416

Authors:

AJ Medford, E Bundgaard, SB Sapkota, H-F Schleiermacher, B Zimmermann, U Würfel, A Chafiq, M Lira-Cantu, T Swonke, M Wagner, CJ Brabec, O Haillant, E Voroshazi, T Aernouts, R Steim, JA Hauch, A Elschner, M Pannone, M Xiao, A Langzettel, D Laird, MT Lloyd, T Rath, E Maier

Abstract:

A large number of flexible polymer solar modules comprising 16 serially connected individual cells was prepared at the experimental workshop at Risø DTU. The photoactive layer was prepared from several varieties of P3HT (Merck, Plextronics, BASF and Risø DTU) and two varieties of ZnO (nanoparticulate, thin film) were employed as electron transport layers. The devices were all tested at Risø DTU and the functional devices were subjected to an inter-laboratory study involving the performance and the stability of modules over time in the dark, under light soaking and outdoor conditions. 24 laboratories from 10 countries and across four different continents were involved in the studies. The reported results allowed for analysis of the variability between different groups in performing lifetime studies as well as performing a comparison of different testing procedures. These studies constitute the first steps toward establishing standard procedures for an OPV lifetime characterization. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Plasmonic dye-sensitized solar cells using core-shell metal-insulator nanoparticles

Nano Letters 11:2 (2011) 438-445

Authors:

MD Brown, T Suteewong, RSS Kumar, V D'Innocenzo, A Petrozza, MM Lee, U Wiesner, HJ Snaith

Abstract:

We present an investigation into incorporating core-shell Au-SiO 2 nanoparticles into dye-sensitized solar cells. We demonstrate plasmon-enhanced light absorption, photocurrent, and efficiency for both iodide/triiodide electrolyte based and solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells. Our spectroscopic investigation indicates that plasmon-enhanced photocarrier generation competes well with plasmons oscillation damping with in the first tens of femtoseconds following light absorption. © 2010 American Chemical Society.

Plasmonic dye-sensitized solar cells using core-shell metal-insulator nanoparticles.

Nano Lett 11:2 (2011) 438-445

Authors:

Michael D Brown, Teeraporn Suteewong, R Sai Santosh Kumar, Valerio D'Innocenzo, Annamaria Petrozza, Michael M Lee, Ulrich Wiesner, Henry J Snaith

Abstract:

We present an investigation into incorporating core-shell Au-SiO(2) nanoparticles into dye-sensitized solar cells. We demonstrate plasmon-enhanced light absorption, photocurrent, and efficiency for both iodide/triiodide electrolyte based and solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells. Our spectroscopic investigation indicates that plasmon-enhanced photocarrier generation competes well with plasmons oscillation damping with in the first tens of femtoseconds following light absorption.

Hybrid Organic–Inorganic Photovoltaic Diodes: Photoaction at the Heterojunction and Charge Collection Through Mesostructured Composites

Chapter in Functional Supramolecular Architectures, Wiley (2011) 767-800