Sodium Hydroxide Pretreatment as an Effective Approach to Reduce the Dye/Holes Recombination Reaction in P-Type DSCs

• Published in: Frontiers in chemistry Vol. 7; p. 99
• Main Authors: Bonomo, Matteo, Barbero, Nadia, Naponiello, Gaia, Giordano, Marco, Dini, Danilo, Barolo, Claudia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 27.02.2019
• Subjects: Chemistry; electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; NaOH pretreatment; NIR Absorption; p-type dye-sensitized solar cells; recombination reaction; squaraines; NaOH pretreatment; NIR Absorption; electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; p-type dye-sensitized solar cells; squaraines; recombination reaction
• ISSN: 2296-2646; 2296-2646
• DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2019.00099

We report the synthesis of a novel squaraine dye (VG21-C12) and investigate its behavior as p-type sensitizer for p-type Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. The results are compared with O4-C12, a well-known sensitizer for p-DSC, and sodium hydroxide pretreatment is described as an effective approach to reduce the dye/holes recombination. Various variable investigation such as dipping time, dye loading, photocurrent, and resulting cell efficiency are also reported. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was utilized for investigating charge transport properties of the different photoelectrodes and the recombination phenomena that occur at the (un)modified electrode/electrolyte interface.