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Solar Cells Based on Sol–Gel Films

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Handbook of Sol-Gel Science and Technology

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Abstract

Mesoporous films of large bandgap semiconductor oxides made by sol–gel synthesis have recently gained prominence as an essential ingredient of a new type of solar cell based on dye sensitization. The dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) provides a technically and economically credible alternative concept to present day p–n junction photovoltaic devices. In contrast to the conventional silicon systems where the semiconductor assumes both the task of light absorption and charge carrier transport, the two functions are separated here. Light is absorbed by a sensitizer, which is anchored to the surface of a wideband semiconductor. Charge separation takes place at the interface via photoinduced electron injection from the dye into the conduction band of the solid. Carriers are transported in the conduction band of the semiconductor to the charge collector. The use of sensitizers having a broad absorption band in conjunction with oxide films of nanocrystalline morphology permits to harvest a large fraction of sunlight. Nearly quantitative conversion of incident photon into electric current is achieved over a large spectral range extending from the UV to the near IR region. Overall solar (standard air mass (AM) 1.5) to current conversion efficiencies over 10% have been reached. There are good prospects to produce these cells at lower cost than conventional devices. Here we present the current state of the field, discuss the importance of mastering the large interface of the mesoporous films by careful control of the sol–gel synthesis conditions, and analyze the perspectives for the future development of the technology.

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Acknowledgment

Recognition is due to the members of the EPFL electrochemical photovoltaics development team, some of whose work is referenced below; to those industrial organizations whose interest in this PV system has induced them to license the concept and thereby support our research; to EPFL; to OFEN (Swiss Federal Office of Energy), and to the US Air Force European Research Office for past encouragement and support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Photonics and Interfaces, Institute of Chemical Science and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland

    Michael Grätzel

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  1. Michael Grätzel
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Correspondence to Michael Grätzel .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA

    Lisa Klein

  2. Madrid, Spain

    Mario Aparicio

  3. City University of New York, New York, USA

    Andrei Jitianu

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Grätzel, M. (2017). Solar Cells Based on Sol–Gel Films. In: Klein, L., Aparicio, M., Jitianu, A. (eds) Handbook of Sol-Gel Science and Technology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-19454-7_65-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-19454-7_65-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-19454-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-19454-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Chemistry and Mat. ScienceReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Chemistry, Materials and Physics

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