Comparative Study of Nanomaterials in the Conditions of their Operation as Part of Color-Sensitized and Perovskite Solar Cells

Abstract

The prospects for creating the photoelectrochemical solar energy converters or solar cells based on the color-sensitized wide-gap semiconductors and perovskites were studied. Possible design, materials and technologies required in creation of such converters were considered. Based on the study of numerous literature data, it was demonstrated that the use of sensitized mesoporous titanium dioxide as a photoanode was quite expedient. The mesoporous titanium oxide film has a developed surface and, accordingly, a large area for the sensitizer adsorption. Mediator systems were studied, which were one of the key components of a photoelectrochemical cell; their characteristics significantly affect efficiency and stability of devices in general, as well as the electrocatalysts required in regeneration of the oxidized mediator component. Color-sensitized solar cells based on the mesoporous semiconductors are of the increasing interest because of their relatively low cost, simple manufacturing technology and high solar light conversion efficiency. Perovskites were studied; they include a group of materials with similar crystal structure able to compete with traditional silicon solar cells due to their flexibility, low cost of films and relative simplicity in the manufacturing process. Photoelectrochemical converters based on color-sensitized wide-gap semiconductors and perovskites are interesting from a practical point of view as an alternative to the traditional silicon technology