Modeling, simulation and design of dye sensitized solar cells

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

José Maçaira (Author) FEUP; Luísa Andrade (Author) FEUP; Adélio Mendes (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: RSC Advances

Vol. 4 No. 6

Pages: 2830-2844

ISSN: 2046-2069

Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 16 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 20 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Chemical engineering

CORDIS: Technological sciences > Engineering > Chemical engineering

Associated Projects

BI-DSC - Building Integrated Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

SolarConcept - Novas abordagens para aumento de eficiência das DSCs e sua melhor compreensão

WINDSC - Desenvolvimento e aumento de escala de módulos DSC baseado nas tecnologias inovadoras ETCO e selagem com vidro

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-008-JZ8

DOI: 10.1039/c3ra46295a

Abstract (EN): It is well known that recombination and transport rule the performance of dye sensitized solar cells (DSC's); although, the influence that these two phenomena have in their performance, particularly on the open circuit-potential (V-oc) and on the short circuit current (J(sc)), is not fully understood. In this paper a phenomenological model is used to describe the quantitative effect that transport and recombination have on the performance of the solar cell and their influence on its optimal design. The model is used to predict the influence of the recombination reaction rate constant (k(r)) and diffusion coefficient (D-eff) on the Voc and on the Jsc, whether a linear or non-linear recombination kinetic is considered. A methodology is provided for decoupling the conduction band shifts from recombination effects in charge extraction experiments. Results also suggest that the influence of recombination on the Voc and on Jsc is highly dependent on the reaction order considered. This fact highlights the importance of considering the reaction order when modeling data obtained by experimental methods. The combined results are analyzed and discussed in terms of the collection efficiency and the optimization of the photoelectrode thickness. The model provides also a useful framework for exploring new concepts and designs for improving DSCs performance.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific