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Analysis of Pseudo-Homogeneous and Bulk Charge Transfer in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

  • SOLAR ENGINEERING MATERIALS SCIENCE
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Abstract

A simplified numerical model has been proposed to optimize the effect of pseudo-homogeneous and bulk electrolyte medium in dye-sensitized solar cells. Firstly, the equations of continuity and transport are derived for all charged species namely electrons, iodide ions (\({{{\text{I}}}^{ - }}\)) and tri-iodide ions (\({\text{I}}_{3}^{ - }\)). The cell model compiled of a pseudo-homogeneous medium is the grouping of three layers i.e., nanoporous TiO2 layer, sensitizer and redox mediator. On the other side is a bulk electrolyte medium in which only ion diffusion takes place. Recombinations at the working electrode and a voltage drop at the counter electrode are incorporated in the present model. Parametric studies were conducted to analyze the length of optimal bulk electrolyte layer and a set of simulations executed by changing the morphology in the range from 0.2 to 1.6 μm and gave the highest at 0.8 μm with current density of 31.7 mA cm–2. The higher current density ensures a good efficiency. The length of the bulk electrolyte layer is reduced as far as possible, and the length of the active layer mediated in relation to the recombination rates and diffusion control current with the choice of the redox mediator.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to thank Photonics Research Laboratory, School of Studies in Electronics and Photonics, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur (C.G.), India for supporting this work.

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  1. Photonics Research Laboratory, School of Studies in Electronics and Photonics, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, India

    Swati Sahu &  Sanjay Tiwari

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Correspondence to Swati Sahu.

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Swati Sahu, Sanjay Tiwari Analysis of Pseudo-Homogeneous and Bulk Charge Transfer in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. Appl. Sol. Energy 57, 355–362 (2021). https://doi.org/10.3103/S0003701X21050145

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