Efficiency enhancement in dye-sensitized solar cells through the decoration of electro-spun TiO 2 nanofibers with Ag nan
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Efficiency enhancement in dye‑sensitized solar cells through the decoration of electro‑spun TiO2 nanofibers with Ag nanoparticles Atiye Moradi1 · Masoud Abrari2 · Morteza Ahmadi2 Received: 31 May 2020 / Accepted: 11 August 2020 © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are low cost and eco-friendly photovoltaic devices which require new ideas for further development. In this paper, we use electro-spun TiO2 nanofibers to prepare the DSSCs photoanode. In order to isolate the FTO and electrolyte species, we deposit a spin-coated T iO2 blocking layer at their interface. The performance of this cell is further improved by introducing surface plasmon resonances (SPRs) at the surface of the nanofibers. It is shown that SPRs increase the generated current in the cells by providing a higher light absorption and lower recombination. Our best cell showed an efficiency of 6.19%, which is a 28% improvement in comparison to the bare DSSC with 4.84% efficiency. The results of this paper are acquired and confirmed by XRD, FESEM, TEM, EDS, dye-loading, IPCE, J–V, and EIS measurements.
1 Introduction Solar energy is, without any doubt, a clean and sustainable source of energy that provides mankind with a high amount of light and heat every day. Photovoltaic devices or solar cells that directly convert the incoming light into electricity are considered as an excellent method for utilization of solar energy [1, 2]. Among these devices, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) show a promising horizon due to their ecofriendliness, low cost, and high efficiency [3, 4]. In recent years, many studies have been conducted on DSSCs, and efficiencies of up to ~ 13% have been attained [4, 5]. Yet, this amount can be further improved by employing new ideas which mostly focus on replacing or modification of common DSSCs’ components such as using organic * Morteza Ahmadi [email protected] Atiye Moradi [email protected] Masoud Abrari [email protected] 1
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Physics & Chemistry, Alzahra University, Vanak, P.O. Box 1993891176, Tehran, Iran
Laser and Plasma Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C., Evin, 1983969411, Tehran, Iran
2
counter electrodes [6] or dyes [7], changing the redox mediator [8] or modification of T iO2 with various semiconductors, metals, non-metals, hybridization with graphene or carbon nanotubes, and plasmonic nanoparticles [9–12]. An excellent method for improving the performance of DSSCs is to introduce surface plasmon resonances (SPRs) to their surface [13]. SPRs are formed at the interface between a metal and a medium with negative and positive dielectric constants, respectively [14]. By this means, the shortfalls of the T iO2 layers that are poor charge transport and high electron recombination can be addressed due to the suitable transport pathway provided by the SPRs and the recombination at T iO2/dye and dye/electrolyte interface can be minimized [15, 16]. Furthermore, th
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