Heliyon (Mar 2019)
Improving the effective photovoltaic performance in dye-sensitized solar cells using an azobenzenecarboxylic acid-based system
Abstract
In this research, an azobenzenecarboxylic acid was used as a sufficient co-adsorbent in combination with N719 dye. As it is found from the results, an optimized concentration of the co-absorbent leads to the highest efficiency. The dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) parameters such as short-circuit current (Jsc), open-circuit voltage (Voc) and conversion efficiency (η) were obtained -14.87 mA/cm2, 0.765 V and 5.20% respectively. Based on the results, the N719/Azobenzenecarboxylic-based system shows a significant increase in Voc and Jsc, resulting in an ∼21% improvement in the efficiency. A higher conversion efficiency for the co-adsorbent-based systems was assigned to their enhanced η, which is attributed to reduced dye aggregation, higher electron injection and increased Voc. This corresponded to the improved electron density in the TiO2 conduction band of the photoanode and reduced charge recombination revealed through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. Also, evidence was provided for a long charge life time and a high resistance of charge recombination for the co-absorbed solar cells.
