Effect of anti-aggregation agent on photovoltaic performance of indoline sensitised solar cells

Abstract

Although dye sensitised solar cells (DSSCs) based on indoline organic dyes exhibit suitable conversion efficiency, these organic dyes have shown potential for aggregation on TiO₂ substrate. Since the aggregation of organic dyes on TiO₂ substrate reduces electron transfer, an anti-aggregation agent is commonly used in DSSCs. In this study, four organic dyes have been synthesised based on indoline. Electrochemical measurements showed that these dyes were stable for DSSCs. Moreover, the effect of cheno and cholic acid as anti-aggregation agents on the TiO₂ nanostructure of solar cells based on indoline dyes was investigated. The results revealed that adding an anti-aggregation agent not only reduces the adsorption of organic dyes but also blocks dye aggregation on TiO₂ substrate and improves conversion efficiencies.

Keywords:

• Dye sensitised solar cells
• Sensitisers
• Indoline dye
• Anti-aggregation agent
• Photocurrent–photovoltage curve
• Conversion efficiency

Acknowledgement

The authors sincerely thank the Center of Excellence for Color Science and Technology for making this investigation possible.