Abstract
A dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) fabricated inside a glass tube to form a dye-sensitized solar tube (DSST) is presented. We developed the synthesis of Fluorine-doped Tin oxide (FTO) with a high optical transmittance and low sheet resistance, which was deposited inside a glass tube by spray pyrolysis. The FTO was covered with a mesoporous TiO2 film using electrophoretic deposition (EPD). Subsequently the tube was sintered, sensitized with a Ru-dye (N3) and immersed into redox electrolyte while a Pt-coated rod closed the electrical circuit. Sealing of DSSCs is still a major problem. The new design reduces significantly the area that requires sealing compared to conventional flat cells, moreover sealing of a tube is significantly simpler than two flat plates. A huge advantage of the tube design is the possibility to incorporate a current collector without blocking direct sunlight from entering the cell. Panels consisting of DSSTs allow air flow in between the tubes, thus decreasing the wind resistivity while the cylindrical shape of the DSST can be used to collect diffuse light more effectively. Initial results on a prototype show a light to electric power conversion efficiency of 2.8%, demonstrating the feasibility of the new tube concept.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 317-322 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells |
Volume | 94 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2010 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The authors acknowledge financial support from the Israeli Science Foundation (Bikura program). SR acknowledges financial support from the European Union within the FP7 framework (Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowship for Career Development). The authors are thankful for the technical support provided by Menahem Schneeberg.
Funding
The authors acknowledge financial support from the Israeli Science Foundation (Bikura program). SR acknowledges financial support from the European Union within the FP7 framework (Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowship for Career Development). The authors are thankful for the technical support provided by Menahem Schneeberg.
Funders | Funder number |
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FP7 framework | |
European Commission | |
Israel Science Foundation |
Keywords
- Current collector
- Dye-sensitized solar cells
- Dye-sensitized solar tubes
- FTO synthesis
- Sealing
- Spray pyrolysis