(113a) Ordered Mesoporous Materials for High Performance Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Conversion of solar light into electric energy in dye-sensitized wide band gap semiconductor based solar cells (DSSCs) is a promising way for fulfilling the next generation green energy demand. Considerable efforts have been made to improve the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs by modifying the nanoscale architecture of semiconductor material and solidifying the volatile liquid electrolyte with polymers. Nevertheless, replacement of conventionally used Pt counter electrodes by inexpensive and stable materials is also requisite for the practical applications of DSSCs. Herein, we synthesized a series of ordered mesoporous materials through template methods and studied their photovoltaic performance in DSSC configuration. Ordered mesoporous SnO2 constitutes a photoanode architecture that offers large surface area to more dye loading in combination with minimal interparticle connectivity providing enhanced electron transport. Devices show a maximum energy conversion efficiency of 4 %, under 1 sun condition. Large pore size mesoporous carbon has been employed as counter electrode material for I3- reduction in DSSCs. Large size pores with an interconnected pore structure facilitate the diffusion of liquid and quasi-solid redox electrolytes, thus mesoporous carbon counter electrode DSSCs exhibit analogous charge transfer resistance (~10 Ù.cm-2) and energy conversion efficiency (>8%) in comparison with the conventional Pt counter electrodes. Furthermore, ordered tungsten carbide with hexagonal and cubic structures have been synthesized and exploited as efficient counter electrode for DSSCs.