Optical properties of a conjugated-polymer-sensitised solar cell: the effect of interfacial structure

Daniel W. Drumm; A. Bilic; Y. Tachibana; A. Miller; S. P. Russo

doi:10.1039/C4CP05290K

Optical properties of a conjugated-polymer-sensitised solar cell: the effect of interfacial structure

Daniel W. Drumm,*^ab A. Bilic,^c Y. Tachibana,^d A. Miller^e and S. P. Russo^a

* Corresponding authors

^a Theoretical Chemical and Quantum Physics, School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
E-mail: daniel.drumm@rmit.edu.au

^b The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia

^c CSIRO Manufacturing, 343 Royal Pde, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia

^d School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia

^e CSIRO Computational Informatics, Private Bag 33, Clayton South, VIC 3169, Australia

Abstract

Dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs) have sparked considerable interest over two decades. Recently, a method of polymer-wire sensitisation was demonstrated; the polymer is suggested to form a hole transport pathway (wire) following initial charge separation. We predict the optical properties of this polymer in various interfacial configurations, including the effects of chain length and attachment to {100} or {101} TiO₂ facets. Contrary to most DSSCs, the {100} facet model best describes the experimental spectrum, predicting a relative thickness of 5.7 ± 0.2 μm, although {101} attachment, if implemented, may improve collection efficiency. Long chains are optimal, and stable attachment sites show minimal differences to absorbance in the major solar emission (visible) band. Combinations of {100}, {101}, and pseudo-bulk TiO₂ models in three-parameter fits to experiment confirm the relative importance of the {100} facet.

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https://doi.org/10.1039/C4CP05290K

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Paper

Submitted

14 Nov 2014

Accepted

20 Mar 2015

First published

13 Apr 2015

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Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2015,17, 14489-14494

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Optical properties of a conjugated-polymer-sensitised solar cell: the effect of interfacial structure

D. W. Drumm, A. Bilic, Y. Tachibana, A. Miller and S. P. Russo, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2015, 17, 14489 DOI: 10.1039/C4CP05290K

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Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics

Optical properties of a conjugated-polymer-sensitised solar cell: the effect of interfacial structure

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