Nanomaterials for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

A method for enhancing the photoelectric conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells through the use of metal-organic framework (MOF) modified titanium dioxide (TiO2) photoanodes. The method involves coating TiO2 with MOF layers that selectively adsorb light-absorbing dyes, thereby improving the material's ability to absorb visible light. This selective dye adsorption enables the TiO2 photoanode to exhibit higher photoelectric conversion efficiency compared to conventional TiO2-based materials. The MOF layers can be prepared through a sol-gel process, allowing for the precise control of dye adsorption properties.

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A method for improving the stability of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) through the incorporation of boron-modified titanium dioxide (TiO2) in the photoanode. The method involves replacing some of the titanium atoms in the TiO2 lattice with boron atoms to form Ti-OB bonds, which enhances the photoelectric performance of the powder while maintaining its structural integrity. The boron-modified TiO2 photoanode exhibits improved stability compared to conventional TiO2 photoanodes, enabling longer-term operation and enhanced light absorption efficiency in DSSCs.

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Fiber dye-sensitized solar cell with enhanced indoor light conversion efficiency. The cell comprises a titanium wire substrate, vertically aligned titanium dioxide nanotube arrays grown on its surface, and a uniform titanium dioxide nanoparticle filling in the nanotube gaps. The nanotube arrays are formed through controlled growth of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the substrate surface, with optimized conditions for high dye loading density and efficient electron transport. The nanotube arrays serve as the photoanode, while carbon nanotube fibers form the counter electrode. The cell is assembled within a flexible transparent plastic tube filled with a low-iodine concentration electrolyte. This configuration enables superior performance in indoor light environments compared to traditional fiber dye-sensitized solar cells.

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A solar cell photoanode comprising a composite structure comprising graphene and titanium dioxide nanowires, where the graphene and titanium dioxide nanowires are grown on a titanium dioxide nanoparticle template. The composite structure is assembled onto a titanium dioxide nanoparticle template, with the graphene and titanium dioxide nanowires forming a three-dimensional network structure. This composite structure enhances electron transfer efficiency and suppresses charge recombination through the graphene and titanium dioxide nanowires.

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A dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) with enhanced light-harvesting efficiency through a novel TiO2 nanocrystallite aggregates-nanoparticles composite film. The composite film comprises nanoparticles with average size of 20 nm and micron-sized aggregates of 0.4-0.6 pm, combined with 80% TiO2 nanocrystallites aggregates and 20% TiO2 nanoparticles. The composite film achieves peak power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7-10% under simulated AM 1.5 conditions, with a peak current density of 220 mA/cm². The composite film enables efficient light absorption and electron transport across the DSC, overcoming the limitations of conventional TiO2-based DSCs.

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NiCo2Se4 hollow spherical multi-level structure material for optoelectronic devices, particularly as a counter electrode in quasi-solid dye-sensitized solar cells. The material exhibits high catalytic activity, conductivity, and specific surface area, enabling efficient electron transfer and water electrolysis. The hollow spherical structure provides a unique pathway for electron circulation, while the multi-level architecture enhances photocatalytic performance. The material can be prepared through a two-step method involving template synthesis and hydrothermal processing.

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A solar cell photoanode that enhances dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) performance by incorporating TiO2 nanowires (NWs) into a TiO2 nanoparticle (NP) composite structure. The composite structure combines the high surface area and charge transport capabilities of TiO2 NWs with the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 NP. The TiO2 NWs are prepared through a controlled nucleation and growth process, while the TiO2 NP is synthesized through a sol-gel method. The composite TiO2 NWs/TiO2 NP structure is then incorporated into the DSSC photoanode, where the TiO2 NWs enhance electron collection efficiency while the TiO2 NP enhances photocatalytic activity.

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A core-shell hollow material for dye-sensitive solar cells that enhances upconversion efficiency through a novel plasmonic-enhanced structure. The material comprises a core-shell assembly of rare-earth-doped upconversion nanocrystals encapsulated within a hollow core, where the hollow core is formed through the hydrolysis of a surfactant. The hollow structure enables efficient far-field scattering of light from the upconversion centers, while the plasmonic effect of the precious metal nanoparticles enhances their luminescence. This hybrid structure addresses the spectral mismatch between the solar spectrum and the upconversion spectrum, thereby significantly improving the conversion efficiency of dye-sensitive solar cells.

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Dye-sensitized solar cell with enhanced photoelectric conversion efficiency through the use of polymer gel electrolyte and specific nanostructured semiconductor layers. The cell employs a polymer gel electrolyte sandwiched between a porous semiconductor layer comprising titanium dioxide nanoparticles and titanium dioxide nanoflowers, which are grown through a controlled hydrothermal process. The nanoflower structure provides increased surface area and light absorption while maintaining stability, while the nanoparticles enhance light absorption and charge transport. The cell architecture enables improved energy conversion through optimized light absorption and charge collection.

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Graphite phase carbon nitride nanosheet interface layer for dye-sensitized solar cells that improves photoelectric conversion efficiency by reducing recombination and back transfer through a novel interface between transparent conductive substrates and oxide films. The nanosheet layer, comprising a graphite phase carbon nitride material, enables efficient electron transfer and suppresses electrolyte back transfer while maintaining high photoelectric conversion rates.

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A solar cell design that enhances light absorption and conversion efficiency through a novel counter electrode structure. The cell incorporates a sensitized metal oxide solar cell (MOSE) with a counter electrode made from a graphene-based composite containing rare-earth elements. The counter electrode, comprising Zr nanoparticles, enables improved light absorption and conversion compared to traditional platinum-based electrodes. This design enables higher solar-to-electricity conversion rates while maintaining cost competitiveness with conventional solar cells.

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One-dimensional ultra-long TiO2 nanorod array prepared by hydrothermal method for dye-sensitized solar cells. The array has uniform height, high surface area, and excellent electron transport properties, enabling efficient charge transport and regeneration in DSSCs. The array is produced through a controlled hydrothermal synthesis process that enables mass production of uniform TiO2 nanorods with high crystallinity and stability.

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Composite nanostructure photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cells to increase efficiency by maximizing light absorption. The photoanode has three layers: a ZnO nanowire layer, a WO3 particle layer, and a TiO2 particle layer. The ZnO layer absorbs dye and separates charges, the WO3 layer scatters light to reach the inner ZnO, and the TiO2 layer absorbs more light. This composite structure absorbs more sunlight compared to just TiO2, improving light harvesting efficiency and overall conversion efficiency.

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A photoanode scattering layer for dye-sensitized solar cells that enhances light scattering and improves photoelectric conversion efficiency. The scattering layer comprises a polyacid/titanium dioxide composite nanorod with a polyacid content of 20% by weight. The polyacid enhances the scattering efficiency of the composite nanorod, while maintaining its photocatalytic activity. This layer can be prepared through a simple solution processing method, enabling high-performance solar cells with improved light scattering properties.

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A method for preparing high-performance dye-sensitized solar cell photoanode materials through the controlled synthesis of TiO2 colloids with enhanced surface area and structural characteristics. The method involves the preparation of TiO2 colloids with specific surface area and particle size distributions, followed by their conversion into a photoanode material through a controlled polymerization process. The photoanode material exhibits superior dye absorption and electron transport properties, enabling enhanced solar cell efficiency compared to conventional TiO2-based photoanodes.

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Method for preparing a photoanode of a dye-sensitized solar cell with enhanced light absorption and electron transfer efficiency. The method involves creating a graded TiO2 photoanode film with a nanostructured surface that incorporates silver nanoparticles. The nanostructured surface enhances light absorption and electron transfer through surface plasmon resonance effects, leading to improved photovoltaic performance compared to conventional TiO2 photoanodes.

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A method for preparing TiO2 NS/graphene composite film dye-sensitized solar cells through a novel approach to enhance the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells. The method involves creating TiO2 NS/graphene composite films by combining nanoscale TiO2 nanoparticles with graphene layers, followed by the deposition of these composite films onto a substrate. This composite film structure combines the high surface area of graphene with the stability and light-absorbing properties of TiO2 nanoparticles, resulting in improved dye-sensitized solar cell performance.

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Dye-sensitized solar cells with enhanced efficiency through direct contact between the semiconductor layer and the anode. The solar cells feature a semiconductor layer deposited on the anode, where the semiconductor material is selected from TiO2/ZnO/CdS, TiO2/ZnO/CdSe, TiO2/ZnO/PbS, TiO2/ZnO/PbSe, TiO2/ZnS/CdSe, TiO2/ZnS/PbS, TiO2/ZnS/PbSe, WO3/ZnO/CdSe, Nb2O5/ZnO/CdSe, and combinations thereof. The semiconductor layer comprises nanocomposite particles, where the nanocomposite particles are selected from the group consisting of TiO2/ZnO/CdS, TiO2/ZnO/CdSe, TiO2/ZnO/PbS, TiO2/ZnO/PbSe, TiO2/ZnS/CdSe, TiO2/ZnS/PbS, TiO2/ZnS/PbSe, WO3/ZnO/CdSe, Nb2O5/ZnO/CdSe, and combinations

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A light-scattering layer for dye-sensitized solar cells that enhances light absorption by creating a nanostructured optical path. The layer comprises a P25 nanocrystalline thin film and a hollow TiO2 nanotube sphere layer stacked in this order. The TiO2 nanotube sphere layer, with its hollow structure, provides a highly efficient light scattering path while the P25 thin film enhances light absorption through its high surface area. The TiO2 nanotube sphere layer is specifically designed with radially arranged TiO2 nanotubes, creating a highly efficient optical path for light scattering.

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High-efficiency dye-sensitized metal oxide solar cell design that uses a triple metal oxide composition for the photoelectrode layer and a scattering layer. The photoelectrode is made of nanoparticles from a ternary metal oxide system like (1-x)SmxO2, where x is a rare earth dopant concentration. This triplet metal oxide composition allows higher efficiency compared to traditional TiO2 by improving electron transport. The scattering layer of microparticles helps capture more light. The cell structure has two electrodes, a sensitized photoelectrode layer, scattering layer, and electrolyte between them.

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