Original Article:
Influence of Solvent on Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Efficiency: What is so Special About Acetonitrile?
Hui Fang, et al.
Particle & Particle Systems Characterization, 2021, 38(5): 2000220.
10.1002/ppsc.202000220
Numerous past studies have shown that the solvent used to prepare the working electrode (and act as the electrolyte) can affect the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) in several ways. Combined with the team's past related research on DSSC fabrication, it was found that solvents with higher polarity leading to greater adsorption free energy and faster electron injection of dyes.
In this review, the researchers provide a clear physical basis for the solvent effect of acetonitrile (ACN) as a solvent for DSSC devices. The authors point out that the excellent solvent activity of ACN for DSSC devices manifests itself in the following ways:
1. Protic solvents such as EtOH have been shown to actually hinder direct surface adsorption due to a stronger propensity to interact with dye molecules (e.g., via hydrogen bonding). Conversely, aprotic solvents such as ACN can facilitate the adsorption of dye molecules to semiconductor surfaces. The different adsorption models of p-ER on the surface of TiO2 nanoparticles in ACN and EtOH are shown in the figure.
2. Solvent polarity is a key solvent parameter for DSSC efficiency by affecting the free energy of adsorption of dyes. Among aprotic solvents, solvents with higher solvent polarity are more favorable for dye adsorption.
3. This physical understanding provides predictive capabilities and leads to better solvent roadmaps for DSSC devices. The results show that any aprotic solvent with a polarity greater than ACN leads to an increase in solar energy conversion efficiency.
Chemicals Related in the Paper:
| Catalog Number | Product Name | Structure | CAS Number | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACM14149407 | Acetonitrile-13c2,15N |  |
14149-40-7 | Price |
