Photoanode cell performance

The Correlation Between Surface Morphology and Solar Cell Performance of WSe2 and MoSe 2 Photoanodes... 

Parkinson, B.A., Heller, A., and Miller, B., Effects of cations on the performance of the photoanode in the n-gallium arsenide/potassium selenide (K2Se)-potassium diselenide (K2Se2)-potassium hydroxide/carbon semiconductor liquid junction solar cell, /. Electrochem. Soc., 126,954,1979. 

ZnS-CdS (bandgap = 2.3-2.4 eV) composite semiconductor photoelectrodes show a broad spectral response and n-type behavior, with saturation of the anodic photocurrent upon increasing anodic potential making the system suitable for use as a photoelectrochemical cell photoanode [72], Nanostructured ZnS-CdS thin film electrodes show that anodic photocurrent saturation can be attained with the application of a small, 0.1 V, bias [73], while hydrogen evolution is observed at the Pt cathode. The performance of the ZnS-CdS photoanodes appear strongly dependent upon the method of film preparation [72,73], with Zn rich films demonstrating superior photocurrent generation, and stability, in comparison to Cd rich films. 

Tenne R. and Hodes G. (1980), Improved efficiency of cadmium selenide photoanodes by photoelectrochemical etching , Appl. Phys. Lett. 37, 428-430. Tomkiewicz M., Ling 1., and Parsons W. S. (1982), Morphology, properties, and performance of electrodeposited normal CdSe in liquid-junction solar cells ,... 

The improved interfacial properties may be another benefit for the use of nanotube films to replace ITO coatings in certain energy conversion devices. In dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), for example, the photoanode is typically comprised of semiconductor nanoparticles deposited on a transparent electrode (generally ITO-coated glass) and sensitized with a self-assembled monolayer of dye molecules. Several studies on the incorporation of SWNTs into the photoanode have found significant performance improvements in the resulting DSSCs. The use of a transparent electrode made from metallic SWNTs in the photoanode may further enhance the performance of existing solar cells. 

B. A. Parkinson, A. Heller, B. Miller, Effects of Cations on the Performance of the Photoanode in the N-GaAs/K2 Se-K2Se2-KOH/C Semiconductor Liquid Jrmction Solar Cell, J. Electrochem. Soc. 1979, 126(6), 954-960. 

Only a few materials were studied concerning their applicability to dye-sensitized hole injection processes. Among those are different copper(I) compounds (e.g. Cu(I)SCN, Cu(I)I, Cu2(I)0 [33-35]) and nickel(II) oxide [36]. Photovoltaic performances of such devices are orders of magnitudes poorer than those of classical dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical solar cells based on n-type materials. Substantial advantages could arise if an efficient photo-hole injection process would be available. The formation of solid-state tandem solar cells would become feasible, and a quantum step in device efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells could be at reach. However, because of the poor performance of all known photocathodes, a combination of available photoanodes and photocathodes to a tandem device always results in a device that is photovoltaically less efficient than the photoanode on its own. The concept for electrolyte-based tandem cells exists. However, it contains strong potential to improve the photovoltaic performance in both electrolytic and in solid-state, dye-sensitized solar cells. 

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