Water-splitting dye-sensitized solar cells (WS-DSPECs) utilize a component based approach to achieve photoelectrochemical water-splitting.  Molecular sensitizers and water oxidation catalysts are deposited upon a high surface area, mesoporous TiO2 electrode.  Historically, efficiencies of WS-DSPECs are low. Improving the efficiency of WS-DSPECs requires an understanding the various competing kinetic processes within the cell, though the disordered, mesoporous structure of the electrode complicates analysis.  In this contribution, we will present a model of a working WS-DSPEC that describes how the various kinetic parameters interact to generate photocurrent and limit the efficiency of the cell.  To build this model we utilize spectroscopic data from a variety of transient and steady state spectroscopic techniques. This model and the toolbox of techniques we describe, serves as a starting point for the analysis of molecular water-splitting systems in mesoporous supports.

Spectroscopic determination of kinetic parameters in water-splitting dye-sensitized solar cells

248th National Meeting (2014)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.