Long-term stability for cobalt-based dye-sensitized solar cells obtained by electrolyte optimization.

A significant improvement in the long-term stability for cobalt-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) under light-soaking conditions has been achieved by optimization of the composition of tris(2,2'-bipyridine) Co(ii)/Co(iii) electrolytes. The effects of component exchanges and changes were also studied during the optimization process.

A quasi-liquid polymer-based cobalt redox mediator electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells.

Recently, cobalt redox electrolyte mediators have emerged as a promising alternative to the commonly used iodide/triiodide redox shuttle in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Here, we report the successful use of a new quasi-liquid, polymer-based electrolyte containing the Co(3+)/Co(2+) redox mediator in 3-methoxy propionitrile solvent in order to overcome the limitations of high cell resistance, low diffusion coefficient and rapid recombination losses. The performance of the solar cells containing the polymer based electrolytes increased by a factor of 1.2 with respect to an analogous electrolyte without the polymer. The performances of the fabricated DSCs have been investigated in detail by photovoltaic, transient electron measurements, EIS, Raman and UV-vis spectroscopy. This approach offers an effective way to make high-performance and long-lasting DSCs.