Consequences of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation upon aging on charge-transfer processes in dye-sensitized solar cells
File(s)SEI layer accepted + SI.pdf (1.41 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Flasque, M
Van Nhien, AN
Moia, D
Barnes, PRF
Sauvage, F
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layers form on sensitized-TiO2 photoanodes and platinum counter electrodes when dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are subjected to an accelerated aging protocol (e.g., heating at 85 °C in the dark for 500 h). To understand how this impacts device operation, we conducted an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy study and found that the SEI induces an additional electron-transfer process from the TiO2 to the electrolyte. This is materialized by the onset of a new charge-transfer semicircle at higher frequencies, predominantly visible under bias voltages similar to and greater than the open-circuit voltage. Our results emphasize the detrimental role of SEI formation on device performance and lifetime. Additionally, nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy showed that SEI formation reduced the rate of oxidized dye regeneration. We also found that a proportion of the photogenerated holes on the dyes were transferred to the SEI itself. A prolonged aging duration led to the electrode’s mesoporosity network being entirely clogged by the SEI, thus impeding efficient transport of the electrolyte redox couple and being responsible for a further decline in photovoltaic performances.
Date Issued
2016-07-25
Date Acceptance
2016-07-25
Citation
Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2016, 120 (34), pp.18991-18998
ISSN
1932-7455
Publisher
American Chemical Society
Start Page
18991
End Page
18998
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Physical Chemistry C
Volume
120
Issue
34
Copyright Statement
© 2016 American Chemical Society. This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Journal of Physical Chemistry C after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.6b05977
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000382596900006&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Grant Number
EP/J002305/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Technology
Chemistry, Physical
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Chemistry
Science & Technology - Other Topics
Materials Science
LONG-TERM STABILITY
OXIDATION
GRAPHITE
ANODES
4-TERT-BUTYLPYRIDINE
INTERFACE
BATTERIES
DIFFUSION
KINETICS
Physical Chemistry
09 Engineering
03 Chemical Sciences
10 Technology
Publication Status
Published