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Brands MB, Lugier OCM, Zhu K, Huijser A, Tanase S, Reek JNH. Slow hole diffusion limits the efficiency of p-type dye-sensitized solar cells based on the P1 dye. ENERGY ADVANCES 2024; 3:2035-2041. [PMID: 39131507 PMCID: PMC11308802 DOI: 10.1039/d4ya00271g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
NiO electrodes are widely applied in p-type dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and photoelectrochemical cells, but due to excessive charge recombination, the efficiencies of these devices are still too low for commercial applications. To understand which factors induce charge recombination, we studied electrodes with a varying number of NiO layers in benchmark P1 p-DSSCs. We obtained the most efficient DSSCs with four layers of NiO (0.134%), and further insights into this optimum were obtained via dye loading studies and in operando photoelectrochemical immittance spectroscopy. These results revealed that more NiO layers led to an increasing light harvesting efficiency (η LH), but a decreasing hole collection efficiency (η CC), giving rise to the maximum efficiency at four NiO layers. The decreasing η CC with more NiO layers is caused by longer hole collection times, which ultimately limits the overall efficiency. Notably, the recombination rates were independent of the number of NiO layers, and similar to those observed in the more efficient n-type DSSC analogues, but hole collection was an order of magnitude slower. Therefore, with more NiO layers, the beneficial increase in η LH can no longer counteract the decrease in η CC due to slow hole collection, resulting in the overall efficiency of the solar cells to maximize at four NiO layers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria B Brands
- Van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam Science Park 904 1098 XH Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Olivier C M Lugier
- Van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam Science Park 904 1098 XH Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Kaijian Zhu
- MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente Hallenweg 23 7522 NH Enschede The Netherlands
| | - Annemarie Huijser
- MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente Hallenweg 23 7522 NH Enschede The Netherlands
| | - Stefania Tanase
- Van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam Science Park 904 1098 XH Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Joost N H Reek
- Van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam Science Park 904 1098 XH Amsterdam The Netherlands
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Malec D, Warszyńska M, Repetowski P, Siomchen A, Dąbrowski JM. Enhancing Visible-Light Photocatalysis with Pd(II) Porphyrin-Based TiO 2 Hybrid Nanomaterials: Preparation, Characterization, ROS Generation, and Photocatalytic Activity. Molecules 2023; 28:7819. [PMID: 38067548 PMCID: PMC10707769 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Novel hybrid TiO2-based materials were obtained by adsorption of two different porphyrins on the surface of nanoparticles-commercially available 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS) and properly modified metalloporphyrin-5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2,6-difluoro-3-sulfophenyl)porphyrin palladium(II) (PdF2POH). The immobilization of porphyrins on the surface of TiO2 was possible due to the presence of sulfonyl groups. To further elevate the adsorption of porphyrin, an anchoring linker-4-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA)-was used. The synthesis of hybrid materials was proven by electronic absorption spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and photoelectrochemistry. Results prove the successful photosensitization of TiO2 to visible light by both porphyrins. However, the presence of the palladium ion in the modifier structure played a key role in strong adsorption, enhanced charge separation, and thus effective photosensitization. The incorporation of halogenated metalloporphyrins into TiO2 facilitates the enhancement of the comprehensive characteristics of the investigated materials and enables the evaluation of their performance under visible light. The effectiveness of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was also determined. Porphyrin-based materials with the addition of PHBA seemed to generate ROS more effectively than other composites. Interestingly, modifications influenced the generation of singlet oxygen for TPPS but not hydroxyl radical, in contrast to PdF2POH, where singlet oxygen generation was not influenced but hydroxyl radical generation was increased. Palladium (II) porphyrin-modified materials were characterized by higher photostability than TPPS-based nanostructures, as TPPS@PHBA-P25 materials showed the highest singlet oxygen generation and may be oxidized during light exposure. Photocatalytic activity tests with two model pollutants-methylene blue (MB) and the opioid drug tramadol (TRML)-confirmed the light dose-dependent degradation of those two compounds, especially PdF2POH@P25, which led to the virtually complete degradation of MB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawid Malec
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (D.M.); (M.W.); (P.R.); (A.S.)
| | - Marta Warszyńska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (D.M.); (M.W.); (P.R.); (A.S.)
- Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University, 30-348 Kraków, Poland
| | - Paweł Repetowski
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (D.M.); (M.W.); (P.R.); (A.S.)
- Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University, 30-348 Kraków, Poland
| | - Anton Siomchen
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (D.M.); (M.W.); (P.R.); (A.S.)
| | - Janusz M. Dąbrowski
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (D.M.); (M.W.); (P.R.); (A.S.)
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Muñoz-García AB, Benesperi I, Boschloo G, Concepcion JJ, Delcamp JH, Gibson EA, Meyer GJ, Pavone M, Pettersson H, Hagfeldt A, Freitag M. Dye-sensitized solar cells strike back. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:12450-12550. [PMID: 34590638 PMCID: PMC8591630 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs01336f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) are celebrating their 30th birthday and they are attracting a wealth of research efforts aimed at unleashing their full potential. In recent years, DSCs and dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells (DSPECs) have experienced a renaissance as the best technology for several niche applications that take advantage of DSCs' unique combination of properties: at low cost, they are composed of non-toxic materials, are colorful, transparent, and very efficient in low light conditions. This review summarizes the advancements in the field over the last decade, encompassing all aspects of the DSC technology: theoretical studies, characterization techniques, materials, applications as solar cells and as drivers for the synthesis of solar fuels, and commercialization efforts from various companies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Belén Muñoz-García
- Department of Physics "Ettore Pancini", University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Iacopo Benesperi
- School of Natural and Environmental Science, Newcastle University, Bedson Building, NE1 7RU Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
| | - Gerrit Boschloo
- Department of Chemistry, Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 523, 751 20 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Javier J Concepcion
- Chemistry Division, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973, USA
| | - Jared H Delcamp
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Gibson
- School of Natural and Environmental Science, Newcastle University, Bedson Building, NE1 7RU Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
| | - Gerald J Meyer
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Michele Pavone
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Anders Hagfeldt
- Department of Chemistry, Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 523, 751 20 Uppsala, Sweden.
- University Management and Management Council, Vice Chancellor, Uppsala University, Segerstedthuset, 752 37 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Marina Freitag
- School of Natural and Environmental Science, Newcastle University, Bedson Building, NE1 7RU Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
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Abstract
Efficient clean energy harvesting, conversion, and storage technologies are of immense importance for the sustainable development of human society. To this end, scientists have made significant advances in recent years regarding new materials and devices for improving the energy conversion efficiency for photovoltaics, thermoelectric generation, photoelectrochemical/electrolytic hydrogen generation, and rechargeable metal ion batteries. The aim of this Special Issue is to provide a platform for research scientists and engineers in these areas to demonstrate and exchange their latest research findings. This thematic topic undoubtedly represents an extremely important technological direction, covering materials processing, characterization, simulation, and performance evaluation of thin films used in energy harvesting, conversion, and storage.
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Marrani AG, Bonomo M, Dini D. Adsorption Dynamics of Redox Active Species onto Polarized Surfaces of Sensitized NiO. ACS OMEGA 2019; 4:1690-1699. [PMID: 31459425 PMCID: PMC6648089 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b02543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Mesoporous NiO films were deposited by means of a screen printing technique onto fluorine-doped tin oxide transparent electrodes and consequently sensitized with Erythrosin B (EryB) dye. The obtained colored NiO material was used as a working electrode in a three-electrode cell to study the evolution of the triple semiconductor/dye/electrolyte interface upon electrochemical polarization in dark conditions. The electrolyte was a solution of I3 -/I- in acetonitrile, with the redox couple representing the typical redox shuttle of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The adopted electrochemical conditions were devised in order to simulate the actual electrical environment of the NiO/dye photocathode in a light-soaked DSC. The use of a benchmark sensitizer EryB and of the most widely used redox mediator I3 -/I- is particularly meaningful for the study of the adsorption dynamics and the determination of possible degradative phenomena on the basis of the behavior of numerous analogue systems. Therefore, for the first time, the evolution of the NiO/EryB/I3 -/I- multiple interface was investigated combining the electrochemical characterization with ex situ spectroscopic analysis by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The resulting picture shows that EryB in the immobilized state promotes the redox processes based on the I3 -/I- couple. Moreover, the EryB sensitizer inhibits the phenomena of recombination between the metal oxide semiconductor and the redox couple.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Danilo Dini
- E-mail: . Phone: +39 0649913986. Fax: +39 06490631 (D.D.)
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Bonomo M, Dini D, Decker F. Electrochemical and Photoelectrochemical Properties of Nickel Oxide (NiO) With Nanostructured Morphology for Photoconversion Applications. Front Chem 2019; 6:601. [PMID: 30619811 PMCID: PMC6299045 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2018.00601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The cost-effective production of chemicals in electrolytic cells and the conversion of the radiation energy into electrical energy in photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) require the use of electrodes with large surface area, which possess either electrocatalytic or photoelectrocatalytic properties. In this context nanostructured semiconductors are electrodic materials of great relevance because of the possibility of varying their photoelectrocatalytic properties in a controlled fashion via doping, dye-sensitization or modification of the conditions of deposition. Among semiconductors for electrolysers and PECs the class of the transition metal oxides (TMOs) with a particular focus on NiO interests for the chemical-physical inertness in ambient conditions and the intrinsic electroactivity in the solid state. The latter aspect implies the existence of capacitive properties in TMO and NiO electrodes which thus act as charge storage systems. After a comparative analysis of the (photo)electrochemical properties of nanostructured TMO electrodes in the configuration of thin film the use of NiO and analogs for the specific applications of water photoelectrolysis and, secondly, photoelectrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Bonomo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Danilo Dini
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Decker
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
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Shen T, Zhou T, Wan Y, Su Y. High-Precision and Low-Cost Wireless 16-Channel Measurement System for Malachite Green Detection. MICROMACHINES 2018; 9:mi9120646. [PMID: 30544505 PMCID: PMC6316330 DOI: 10.3390/mi9120646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Focusing on the issue of the malachite green traditional test methods such as large volume, high cost and high complex, this paper proposed a novel multi-channel electrochemical malachite green detection system. Specific recognition properties of malachite green DNA adapter is employed to realize accurate sensing of concentration of malachite green, which can achieve precise detection of malachite green concentration with low noise and high precision. The maximum measurement capability of multi-channel acquisition system is 16 samples in a batch. According to the experimental results, malachite green could be detected quantitatively in the range from 10−3 μg/mL to 10 μg/mL, which performs well in the test of malachite green residues in aquatic product transportation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Shen
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China.
| | - Tong Zhou
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China.
| | - Ying Wan
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China.
| | - Yan Su
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China.
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