Haining Tian

Highly Efficient CdS Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells Based on a Modified Polysulfide Electrolyte

A modified polysulfide redox couple, [(CH(3))(4)N](2)S/[(CH(3))(4)N](2)S(n), in an organic solvent (3-methoxypropionitrile) was employed in CdS quantum dot (QD)-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs), and an unprecedented energy conversion efficiency of up to 3.2% was obtained under AM 1.5 G illumination. The QDs were linked to nanoporous TiO(2) via covalent bonds by using thioglycolic acid, and chemical bath deposition in an organic solvent was then used to prepare the QDSSCs, facilitating high wettability and superior penetration capability of the TiO(2) films. A very high fill factor of 0.89 was observed with the optimized QDSSCs.

Carbazole-based hole-transport materials for efficient solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells and perovskite solar cells.

Two carbazole-based small molecule hole-transport materials (HTMs) are synthesized and investigated in solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (ssDSCs) and perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The HTM X51-based devices exhibit high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 6.0% and 9.8% in ssDSCs and PSCs, respectively. These results are superior or comparable to those of 5.5% and 10.2%, respectively, obtained for the analogous cells using the state-of-the-art HTM Spiro-OMeTAD.

Organic Redox Couples and Organic Counter Electrode for Efficient Organic Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

A series of organic thiolate/disulfide redox couples have been synthesized and have been studied systematically in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) on the basis of an organic dye (TH305). Photophysical, photoelectrochemical, and photovoltaic measurements were performed in order to get insights into the effects of different redox couples on the performance of DSCs. The polymeric, organic poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) material has also been introduced as counter electrode in this kind of noniodine-containing DSCs showing a promising conversion efficiency of 6.0% under AM 1.5G, 100 mW·cm(-2) light illumination. Detailed studies using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and linear-sweep voltammetry reveal that the reduction of disulfide species is more efficient on the PEDOT counter electrode surface than on the commonly used platinized conducting glass electrode. Both pure and solvated ionic-liquid electrolytes based on a thiolate anion have been studied in the DSCs. The pure and solvated ionic-liquid-based electrolytes containing an organic redox couple render efficiencies of 3.4% and 1.2% under 10 mW·cm(-2) light illumination, respectively.

Two Novel Carbazole Dyes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells with Open-Circuit Voltages up to 1 V Based on Br−/Br3− Electrolytes

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) based on two novel carbazole dyes (TC301 and TC306) and a Br(-)/Br(3)(-) redox mediator in dried CH(3)CN solutions as electrolytes yielded a V(oc) of 1.156 V and a eta value of 3.68% and a V(oc) of 0.939 V and a eta value of 5.22% under simulated AM 1.5, respectively. The dyes TC301 and TC306 have more positive HOMO levels (1.59 and 1.38 V vs NHE) than the redox potential of Br(-)/Br(3)(-)-based electrolytes, which have sufficient driving force to regenerate dyes. Under similar conditions with an I(-)/I(3)(-) instead of a Br(-)/Br(3)(-) redox mediator, DSCs sensitized by the dyes TC301 and TC306 produced a V(oc) of 0.696 V and a eta value of 2.36% and a V(oc) of 0.621 V and a eta value of 4.10%, respectively.

Tuning of phenoxazine chromophores for efficient organic dye-sensitized solar cells

Through introducing an energy antenna system into a simple phenoxazine dye (TH301), a novel and efficient dye TH305 was designed and synthesized for application in a dye sensitized solar cell with prominent overall conversion efficiency of 7.7%.

Efficient Organic-Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Based on an Iodine-Free Electrolyte†

An org. redox couple (McMT-/BMT) was used in dye-sensitized solar cells. Based on a low-cost org. dye, TH305, an efficiency of 4.0% was achieved under simulated sunlight (100 mW/cm2). Photoelectrochem. measurements provided insight into the difference between the org. redox couple and traditional I-based electrolytes.

Efficient near infrared D–π–A sensitizers with lateral anchoring group for dye-sensitized solar cells

A new strategy in which the anchoring group is separated from the acceptor groups of the dyes was developed; among these dyes, the HY103 dye gives a maximum IPCE value of 86% at 660 nm and an eta value of 3.7% in the NIR region reported in DSCs.

Use of colloidal upconversion nanocrystals for energy relay solar cell light harvesting in the near-infrared region

Colloidal upconversion (UC) nanocrystals were explored as energy relay materials for dye-sensitized solar cells for the first time. The utilization of colloidal UC nanocrystals was found to significantly enhance the upconversion efficiency and improve the photocurrent of the cells for low infrared irradiation intensity. In addition, it was found that UC nanocrystals of small size favor infiltration into a TiO2 film and bring higher relay efficiency. Finally, we found that UC nanocrystals can serve as a scattering material to increase the light absorption capability of the cells and increase the overall photocurrent of the cells under simulated sunlight irradiation.

A thiolate/disulfide ionic liquid electrolyte for organic dye-sensitized solar cells based on Pt-free counter electrodes

The ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetracyanoborate, was employed to prepare a thiolate/disulfide ionic liquid electrolyte with low viscosity for organic dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). CoS was introduced and showed better photovoltaic performance in DSCs than the ubiquitous platinized FTO CE.

Solid-State Perovskite-Sensitized p-Type Mesoporous Nickel Oxide Solar Cells

Perovskite has been adopted as photosensitizer to develop solid state p-type mesoporous nickel oxide (NiO) dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) employing PCBM as electron conductor. The optimal device achieved an efficiency of 1.5% with an impressive open circuit voltage of more than 800 mV, which is the record of solar cell based on p-type mesoporous NiO electrode. This result shows the potential for building highly efficient p-type NiO solar cells as stand-alone device.