Ning Cai

Structure design of nano-TiO 2 electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells #

In dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), the physical properties and microstructure of nano-titanium dioxide film electrode are the key factors to influence the photo-electric characters greatly and they are also determined by the preparation techniques. A new electrode of double-layer TiO2 with different structure was designed and prepared by spin-coating and screen-printing techniques alternately. Such two types of layers have different contribution to the photo-electric conversion functions. Compact TiO2 film made by spin-coating only absorbs little dyes, but it works as a barrier layer between ITO and electrolyte. The porous TiO2 film made by screen-printing will absorb more dyes, and results in higher photocurrent. At the end, the effect of the compact layer on I-V properties of the DSSCs was discussed.

Synthesis and characterization of NaYF 4 : Yb, Er nanoparticles with efficient up-conversion fluorescence based on new type solar cells

An up-converting material, which can be efficiently excited by near infrared light and emit strong visible light through a process termed dasiaup-conversion fluorescencepsila, has shown great potential for use in silicon thin films solar cells. This kind of material when placed on the rear side of p-i-n type silicon thin films solar cells will increase the overall efficiency of the PV device by utilizing sub-band gap photons that would otherwise be transmitted through the device. Sodium yttrium fluoride (NaYF4) up-converting nanoparticles doped with lanthanide ions have been synthesized. Different lanthanide ions (Yb3+, Er3+) were doped into the nanoparticles, which showed strong up-conversion fluorescence under excitation at 980 nm. Above reason comes from that intensity of the hexagonal nanocrystals in this work is much higher than that of other cubic-phase NaYF4 nanocrystals. In addition, the nanoparticles showed a spherical shape with an average size of about 50 nm.

Controllable light utilization in silicon-based thin film solar cells

Controllable light utilization in silicon-based-thin-film solar cells with a DBR structure have been simulated. A experimental model cells constructed by a-Si pin/ZnO (~70 nm)/P+muc-Si(20 nm) were verified. The ratio of Isc increment can be reached to 14.1%.

Structure design of nano-TiO2 electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells

In dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), the physical properties and microstructure of nano-titanium dioxide film electrode are the key factors to influence the photo-electric characters greatly and they are also determined by the preparation techniques. A new electrode of double-layer TiO2 with different structure was designed and prepared by spin-coating and screen-printing techniques alternately. Such two types of layers have different contribution to the photo-electric conversion functions. Compact TiO2 film made by spin-coating only absorbs little dyes, but it works as a barrier layer between ITO and electrolyte. The porous TiO2 film made by screen-printing will absorb more dyes, and results in higher photocurrent. At the end, the effect of the compact layer on I-V properties of the DSSCs was discussed.