Panchromatic absorption of dye sensitized solar cells by co-Sensitization of triple organic dyes

Abstract

Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were co-sensitized with three custom molecularly engineered organic dyes containing butyloxyl chain induced dye (Y1), boron dipyrromethene (bodipy) dye (TP(2)A), and squaraine (SQ) ring configured dye (HSQ4). The individual power conversion efficiencies of the DSSCs sensitized with Y1, TP2A and HSQ4 sensitizers were 3.44%, 4.26% and 5.78%, respectively. Co-sensitized TP(2)A + HSQ4 dyes at a 2 : 1 molar ratio showed an efficiency of 7.02%. Further addition of Y1 dye with optimal TP(2)A + HSQ4 increased the V-OC from 0.580 V to 0.605 V. The co-sensitized Y1 + TP(2)A + HSQ4 based DSSCs showed a new optimal efficiency (eta) of 7.48%. This is the highest efficiency recorded for DSSCs based on co-sensitization of triple organic dyes. Intensity modulated photovoltage spectroscopy further confirms the longer lifetime of co-sensitized Y1 + TP(2)A + HSQ4 compared to that of each individual TP(2)A and HSQ4 and co-sensitized TP(2)A + HSQ4 dye.