We report that the nature of the coadsorbent end groups anchored to the TiO2 surface strongly influences the interfacial properties of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Additionally, coadsorbent sensitization of nanoporous TiO2 films plays an important role in organizing and orienting the adsorbed dyes. The stearic acid (SA) as coadsorbent, which has a low dipole moment and high solubility, retards the rate of dye adsorption via a competitive anchoring process on the TiO2 layer, thereby increasing the surface concentration of strongly bound dye on the TiO2 surface. As a result, both short circuit current density and the power conversion efficiency were improved by 25% (11.4 to 14.2 mA/cm2 and 5.9 to 7.4%, respectively, without and with the SA coadsorbent), even for much lower coverage of the dye. We are currently systematically optimizing the adsorption conditions and structures of the coadsorbents to further reduce cost and facilitate the preparation of DSSCs

Effect of coadsorbent properties on the photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells

242nd National Meeting (2011)

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