Dye Sensitized Solar Cells Sensitized Using a Perylene Monoimide Derivative

The effect of deoxycholic acid (DCA) on the performance of liquid electrolyte dye sensitized solar cells sensitised using a perylene monoimide (PCA) derivative has been investigated. The current-voltage characteristics under illumination and incident photon to current efficiency (IPCE) spectra of the DSSCs showed that the co-adsorption of DCA with the PCA dye resulted in a significant improvement in short circuit photocurrent. A slight increase in the open circuit photovoltage was observed leading to an improved overall power conversion efficiency. The enhancement of short circuit current was attributed to the increased electron injection efficiency from the excited state of the PCA into the conduction band of TiO₂ and charge collection efficiency. The current-voltage characteristics in the dark indicated a positive shift in the conduction supporting the observed enhancement in the photocurrent. The co-adsorption with DCA suppressed charge recombination as indicated from the electrochemical impedance spectra and thus improved the open circuit photovoltage.