Optimal Dye Sensitized Solar Cell and Photocapacitor Performance with Efficient Electrocatalytic SWCNH Assisted Carbon Electrode
M. Gurulakshmi, Meenakshamma Ambapuram, Vijayalaxmi Tankasala, Raghavender Mitty
Abstract
The present work demonstrates the high photovoltaic power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 11.12% using single wall carbon nanohorn assisted carbon counter electrode based dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), which demonstrates a superior PCE compared to that of platinum (9.41%). This superior performance was a motivation to fabricate a dye sensitized solar module (DSSM) consisting of six series connected DSSCs arranged in a bifacial manner toward the application of building integrated photovoltaics. The DSSM demonstrated a remarkable, champion PCE of 19.71%. This high PCE, driven to fabricate an integrated device (photocapacitor), consists of a DSSM and a supercapacitor (SC). Upon two-sided illumination, the DSSM generated electrical power, and the same power is used for charging the supercapacitor. A working light emitting diode is demonstrated with discharge of the SC. The detailed fabrication strategies and results are discussed.