Yunfang Huang

An All-Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell-Based Poly(N-alkyl-4-vinyl-pyridine iodide) Electrolyte with Efficiency of 5.64%

Using poly(N-methyl-4-vinyl-pyridine iodide), N-methyl-pyridine iodide and iodine, a solid polymer electrolyte with conductivity of 6.41 mS/cm is prepared. On the basis of a solid polymer electrolyte, a conducting graphite layer, a KI block layer, and a vacuum assembling technique, we achieve an all-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell with total photoelectric conversion efficiency of 5.64% under AM 1.5 simulated solar light (100 mW/cm2) illumination.

Progress on the electrolytes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have aroused intense interest over the past decade owing to their low cost and simple preparation procedures. Much effort has been devoted to the study of electrolytes that enable light-to-electrical power conversion for DSSC applications. This review focuses on recent progress in the field of liquid, solid-state, and quasi-solid-state electrolytes for DSSCs. It is believed that quasi-solid-state electrolytes, especially those utilizing thermosetting gels, are particularly applicable for fabricating high photoelectric performance and long-term stability of DSSCs in practical applications.

A large-area light-weight dye-sensitized solar cell based on all titanium substrates with an efficiency of 6.69% outdoors.

Light-weight PEDOT-Pt/Ti mesh and Ti/TiO(2) foil electrodes are prepared. Owing to the PEDOT-Pt/Ti photocathodes high transparency, good electrocatalytic activity, and low resistance; the Ti/TiO(2) anodes large specific area and high conductivity, a light-weight backside illuminated large-area (100 cm(2) ) dye-sensitized solar cell achieves an energy conversion efficiency of 6.69% under an outdoors sunlight irradiation of 55 mW cm(-2) .

Conducting film from graphite oxide nanoplatelets and poly(acrylic acid) by layer-by-layer self-assembly

A [poly(acrylic acid)/graphite oxide]n [(PAA/GO)(n)] film with a conductivity of 60 S.cm(-1) was grown layer-by-layer (LbL) using Langmuir-Blodgett self-assembly techniques. GO nanoplatelets were prepared from natural graphite by oxidizing, ball milling, exfoliating, and modifying with cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The X-ray diffraction pattern reveals that PAA and GO stack orderly LbL and repeatedly in the (PAA/GO)(n) films, and about three carbon molecular layers are superposed on each GO sheet. Fourier transform infrared spectra offer evidence for the interaction between the carboxylic groups on PAA and the CTAB on the surface of the GO nanoplatelets. Electrochemistry measurements show that the conductivity of the (PAA/GO)(n) film depends on the carbon-carbon interlayer height of the GO sheet, and the (PAA/GO)(n) film has a typical positive temperature coefficient effect above the PAA melting temperature. The atomic force microscopy images reveal that CTAB molecules stack in a well-ordered head-to-head structure on both surfaces of the GO nanoplatelets and the GO nanoplatelets are embeded between PAA layers.

Synthesis of W18O49 Nanorod via Ammonium Tungsten Oxide and Its Interesting Optical Properties

W(18)O(49) nanorods were synthesized by pyrolyzing (NH(4))(x)WO(3+x/2) nanorods precursors, which were prepared by a hydrothermal reaction using sulfate as a structure-directing agent, in a reductive atmosphere of H(2)(5 vol %)/N(2) at 500 °C for 1 h. W(18)O(49) nanorods showed high transmittance in the visible region as well as excellent shielding properties of NIR lights. A simulated experiment revealed that excellent heat insulating performance can be realized by applying a 70% visible light transparent W(18)O(49) coating on a quartz glass. Meanwhile, the W(18)O(49) nanorods also showed strong absorption of NIR light and instantaneous conversion of photoenergy to heat. In a word, W(18)O(49) nanorods hold interesting optical properties and are a promising material in a wide range of applications.

Dual functions of YF3:Eu3+ for improving photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells

In order to enhance the photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), a novel design is demonstrated by introducing rare-earth compound europium ion doped yttrium fluoride (YF3:Eu3+) in TiO2 film in the DSSC. As a conversion luminescence medium, YF3:Eu3+ transfers ultraviolet light to visible light via down-conversion, and increases incident harvest and photocurrent of DSSC. As a p-type dopant, Eu3+ elevates the Fermi level of TiO2 film and thus heightens photovoltage of the DSSC. The conversion luminescence and p-type doping effect are demonstrated by photoluminescence spectra and Mott-Schottky plots. When the ratio of YF3:Eu3+/TiO2 in the doping layer is optimized as 5 wt.%, the light-to-electric energy conversion efficiency of the DSSC reaches 7.74%, which is increased by 32% compared to that of the DSSC without YF3:Eu3+ doping. Double functions of doped rare-earth compound provide a new route for enhancing the photovoltaic performance of solar cells.

Enhancing the photoelectrical performance of dye-sensitized solar cells using TiO2:Eu3 + nanorods

TiO(2):Eu(3+) nanorods are hydrothermally grown and used to fabricate a bilayer film electrode in a dye-sensitized solar cell. A light-to-electrical energy conversion efficiency of 8.0% and a quantum efficiency of 93.7% (at 575 nm) is achieved in this solar cell. The high efficiency is due to the improvement of ultraviolet light harvesting via a down-conversion luminescence process by the Eu(3+) ion and the increase of light scattering by one-dimensional TiO(2).

Template-free synthesis of closed-microporous hybrid and its application in quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells

A kind of closed-microporous hybrid with poly(acrylic acid)-poly(ethylene glycol)-polypyrrole (PAA-PEG-PPy) was synthesized template-free by in situ polymerization and micro-phase separation of PPy in PAA-PEG gel. This novel structure hybrid was used as a matrix in preparing polymer gel electrolytes for quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (QS-DSSC). It shows high liquid electrolyte absorbency and salt tolerance, which are benefits for improving photovoltaic performance of QS-DSSC.

Application of Y2O3:Er3+ Nanorods in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Y(2)O(3):Er(3+) nanorods are synthesized by means of a hydrothermal method and then introduced into a TiO(2) electrode in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Y(2)O(3):Er(3+) improves infrared light harvest via up-conversion luminescence and increases the photocurrent of the DSSC. The rare earth ions improve the energy level of the TiO(2) electrode through a doping effect and thus increase the photovoltage. The light scattering is ameliorated by the one-dimensional nanorod structure. The DSSC containing Y(2)O(3):Er(3+) (5 wt%) in the doping layer achieves a light-to-electric energy conversion efficiency of 7.0%, which is an increase of 19.9% compared to the DSSC lacking of Y(2)O(3):Er(3+).

An ultraviolet responsive hybrid solar cell based on titania/poly(3-hexylthiophene)

Here we present an ultraviolet responsive inorganic-organic hybrid solar cell based on titania/poly(3-hexylthiophene) (TiO2/P3HT) heterojuction. In this solar cell, TiO2 is an ultraviolet light absorber and electronic conductor, P3HT is a hole conductor, the light-to-electrical conversion is realized by the cooperation for these two components. Doping ionic salt in P3HT polymer can improve the photovoltaic performance of the solar cell. Under ultraviolet light irradiation with intensity of 100 mW·cm−2, the hybrid solar cell doped with 1.0 wt.% lithium iodide achieves an energy conversion efficiency of 1.28%, which is increased by 33.3% compared to that of the hybrid solar cell without lithium iodide doping. Our results open a novel sunlight irradiation field for solar energy utilization, demonstrate the feasibility of ultraviolet responsive solar cells, and provide a new route for enhancing the photovoltaic performance of solar cells.