New materials for hybrid dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract This paper deals with the synthesis and characterization of new phtalocyanine based chromophores and new electrolyte for the fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and hybrid dye-sensitized solar cells. The new phtalocyanines-based chromophores contain a different number of pending carboxy groups. The classic electrolyte was replaced by polymers that contain quaternary ammonium salts or polymer modified with PbS and CdS nanoparticles. This type of photovoltaic cells is not presented so far in the literature. Cell set-up involves TiO2 deposition followed by dye adsorption and polymer film formation in the case of hybrid cells. The electrical parameters of the studied solar cells, namely the short-circuit current density Jsc and the open circuit voltage Voc, were measured.