Low-Cost, Third Generation Solar Cells on Solid Ground
Novel, liquid-less design promises to improve long-term stability and durability of dye-sensitized solar cells while hitting high efficiency marks.
The Science
The replacement of the corrosive, volatile liquid electrolyte in traditional dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with a novel semiconducting inorganic solid demonstrates that all-solid-state DSSCs need not sacrifice overall efficiency.
The Impact
Use of this new solid material sidesteps the long-term performance and durability issues of dye-sensitized solar cells and provides an opportunity for creation of cheaper, more efficient solar cells.
Summary
Current solar cell technologies are largely constrained by high production costs, low operating efficiency, and limited durability. A low-cost alternative to current silicon-based solar cell devices are thin film solar cells, such as dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). DSSCs are made up of inexpensive, environmentally-benign titanium dioxide nanoparticles coated with light-absorbing dye molecules, and a liquid electrolyte. Research by the Argonne Northwestern Solar Energy Research (ANSER) EFRC at Argonne National Laboratory and Northwestern University has solved long-standing corrosion and durability problems associated with the liquid electrolyte. The corrosive, volatile liquid was replaced with a novel semiconducting inorganic solid, resulting in a solar cell that has competitive conversion efficiencies (10%) while withstanding high temperatures, high levels of humidity, and accelerated aging tests. The solid semiconductor consisting of cesium tin iodide (CsSnI3) can be processed in solution, an appealing characteristic for keeping manufacturing costs low. The semiconductor also enhances light absorption of the DSSC in the red region of the solar spectrum, thereby outperforming conventional DSSCs. This discovery could lead to new solar cells that are both longer-lasting and highly efficient, while costing less to manufacture. A patent has been filed for this development.
Contact
Mercouri G. Kanatzidis
Northwestern University
[email protected]
Robert P. H. Chang
Northwestern University
[email protected]
Michael R. Wasielewski
Director of the ANSER Center EFRC, Northwestern University
[email protected]
Dick Co
Director of Operations and Outreach, ANSER, Northwestern University
[email protected]
Funding
DOE Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences, Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) program (development and fabrication of the semiconductor material); NSF Division of Materials Research (for design and fabrication of DSSCs); and Northwestern University’s Initiative for Sustainability and Energy (I.C.)
Publications
Chung, I., Lee, B., He, J., Chang, R.P.H., Kanatzidis, M. All-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells with high efficiency. Nature. 485, 486-489 (2012) [DOI: 10.1038/nature11067]
Related Links
Northwestern University press release
Argonne-Northwestern Solar Energy Research (ANSER) Center EFRC
Highlight Categories
Performer: University , DOE Laboratory
Additional: Technology Impact , Collaborations , Non-DOE Interagency Collaboration