Are dye-sensitized nano-structured solar cells stable? An overview of device testing and component analyses

The nano-structured dye-sensitized solar cell (DNSC) is considered as a promising technology having the potential to significantly decrease the costs of solar energy. The breakthrough was achieved in 1991 with the demonstration of a DNSC system reaching more than 7% efficiency and after a decade of...

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Main Authors: Egbert Figgemeier, Anders Hagfeldt
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2004-01-01
Series:International Journal of Photoenergy
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/S1110662X04000169
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author Egbert Figgemeier
Anders Hagfeldt
author_facet Egbert Figgemeier
Anders Hagfeldt
author_sort Egbert Figgemeier
collection DOAJ
description The nano-structured dye-sensitized solar cell (DNSC) is considered as a promising technology having the potential to significantly decrease the costs of solar energy. The breakthrough was achieved in 1991 with the demonstration of a DNSC system reaching more than 7% efficiency and after a decade of intense research the commercialization is in reach. Besides efficiency, stability is equally important for the step from research to the market. Therefore, the stability of such devices has been under close investigation since the DNSC was presented. In this contribution we summarize the literature about device testing and the attempts to understand the degradation mechanisms. Solar cells developed for energy production are discussed as well as alternative systems for low power applications, e.g., DNSCs on plastic substrates. The components (substrate, nano-structured TiO2, dye, electrolyte, additive and counter electrode) are analyzed towards their stability and how it affects the durability of the entire system. From this analysis, guidelines for testing and improving the stability of the DNSC are deduced.
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spelling doaj-art-db40bec081ce4d49a83087c6b5e9357a2025-02-03T01:08:53ZengWileyInternational Journal of Photoenergy1110-662X2004-01-016312714010.1155/S1110662X04000169Are dye-sensitized nano-structured solar cells stable? An overview of device testing and component analysesEgbert Figgemeier0Anders Hagfeldt1Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Uppsala, P.O. Box 579, Uppsala S-75123, SwedenInstitute of Physical Chemistry, University of Uppsala, P.O. Box 579, Uppsala S-75123, SwedenThe nano-structured dye-sensitized solar cell (DNSC) is considered as a promising technology having the potential to significantly decrease the costs of solar energy. The breakthrough was achieved in 1991 with the demonstration of a DNSC system reaching more than 7% efficiency and after a decade of intense research the commercialization is in reach. Besides efficiency, stability is equally important for the step from research to the market. Therefore, the stability of such devices has been under close investigation since the DNSC was presented. In this contribution we summarize the literature about device testing and the attempts to understand the degradation mechanisms. Solar cells developed for energy production are discussed as well as alternative systems for low power applications, e.g., DNSCs on plastic substrates. The components (substrate, nano-structured TiO2, dye, electrolyte, additive and counter electrode) are analyzed towards their stability and how it affects the durability of the entire system. From this analysis, guidelines for testing and improving the stability of the DNSC are deduced.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/S1110662X04000169
spellingShingle Egbert Figgemeier
Anders Hagfeldt
Are dye-sensitized nano-structured solar cells stable? An overview of device testing and component analyses
International Journal of Photoenergy
title Are dye-sensitized nano-structured solar cells stable? An overview of device testing and component analyses
title_full Are dye-sensitized nano-structured solar cells stable? An overview of device testing and component analyses
title_fullStr Are dye-sensitized nano-structured solar cells stable? An overview of device testing and component analyses
title_full_unstemmed Are dye-sensitized nano-structured solar cells stable? An overview of device testing and component analyses
title_short Are dye-sensitized nano-structured solar cells stable? An overview of device testing and component analyses
title_sort are dye sensitized nano structured solar cells stable an overview of device testing and component analyses
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/S1110662X04000169
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