Dye Sensitized Solar Cells Consisting of Ionic Liquid and Solidification

Abstract

Two crucial research items on dye sensitized solar cells (DSC), increasing photovoltaic performances and solidification of liquid electrolytes, are reported. A direction to increasing photo-voltaic performances of DSCs is proposed. An interface between TiO₂/dye and an electrolyte layer is focused on. It is proved that better coverage of TiO₂ layers with dye molecules increases photovoltaic performances. The results are discussed by using electron diffusion coefficient and electron life time in TiO₂ layers. Another crucial research item is solidification. Liquid electrolytes are quasi-solidified without decreasing the parent liquid type DSCs, where Grotthuss type mechanism are introduced to the solidified electrolytes. Because of this, charge carrier can move swiftly even in the hard clay like electrolytes.