Skip to Content
Merck
  • Solid Solutions of Rare Earth Cations in Mesoporous Anatase Beads and Their Performances in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

Solid Solutions of Rare Earth Cations in Mesoporous Anatase Beads and Their Performances in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

Scientific reports (2015-11-19)
Carmen Cavallo, Alberto Salleo, Daniele Gozzi, Francesco Di Pascasio, Simone Quaranta, Riccardo Panetta, Alessandro Latini
ABSTRACT

Solid solutions of the rare earth (RE) cations Pr(3+), Nd(3+), Sm(3+), Gd(3+), Er(3+) and Yb(3+) in anatase TiO2 have been synthesized as mesoporous beads in the concentration range 0.1-0.3% of metal atoms. The solid solutions were have been characterized by XRD, SEM, diffuse reflectance UV-Vis spectroscopy, BET and BJH surface analysis. All the solid solutions possess high specific surface areas, up to more than 100 m(2)/g. The amount of adsorbed dye in each photoanode has been determined spectrophotometrically. All the samples were tested as photoanodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) using N719 as dye and a nonvolatile, benzonitrile based electrolyte. All the cells were have been tested by conversion efficiency (J-V), quantum efficiency (IPCE), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and dark current measurements. While lighter RE cations (Pr(3+), Nd(3+)) limit the performance of DSSCs compared to pure anatase mesoporous beads, cations from Sm(3+) onwards enhance the performance of the devices. A maximum conversion efficiency of 8.7% for Er(3+) at a concentration of 0.2% has been achieved. This is a remarkable efficiency value for a DSSC employing N719 dye without co-adsorbents and a nonvolatile electrolyte. For each RE cation the maximum performances are obtained for a concentration of 0.2% metal atoms.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Ethanol, purum, fine spirit, denaturated with 4.8% methanol, F25 METHYL1, ~96% (based on denaturant-free substance)
Sigma-Aldrich
Ethanol, purum, absolute ethanol, denaturated with 2% 2-butanone, A15 MEK1, ≥99.8% (based on denaturant-free substance)
Sigma-Aldrich
Ethanol, purum, absolute ethanol, denaturated with 4.8% isopropanol, A15 IPA1, ≥99.8% (based on denaturant-free substance)
Sigma-Aldrich
Ethanol, purum, fine spirit, denaturated with 2% 2-butanone, F25 MEK1, ~96% (based on denaturant-free substance)
Sigma-Aldrich
Iodine, ACS reagent, ≥99.8%, solid
Sigma-Aldrich
Acetonitrile, ReagentPlus®, 99%
Sigma-Aldrich
Ethanol, ACS reagent, prima fine spirit, without additive, F15 o1
Sigma-Aldrich
Ammonium hydroxide solution, puriss., 30-33% NH3 in H2O
Sigma-Aldrich
Ammonium hydroxide solution, puriss., meets analytical specification of Ph. Eur., 25-30% NH3 basis
Sigma-Aldrich
Ultrapure Acetonitrile
Praseodymium, foil, not light tested, 50x50mm, thickness 0.01mm, as rolled, 99%
Gadolinium, rod, 48mm, diameter 3.0mm, cast, 99%
Praseodymium, foil, not light tested, 50x50mm, thickness 0.015mm, as rolled, 99%
Praseodymium, foil, 50x50mm, thickness 0.25mm, as rolled, 99%
Praseodymium, wire reel, 100mm, diameter 1.0mm, hard, 99.9%
Praseodymium, rod, 100mm, diameter 6.35mm, cast, 99%
Gadolinium, rod, 50mm, diameter 6.35mm, cast, 99%
Praseodymium, rod, 50mm, diameter 6.35mm, cast, 99%
Gadolinium, wire reel, 100mm, diameter 0.5mm, hard, 99.9%
Gadolinium, rod, 50mm, diameter 12.5mm, cast, 99%
Samarium, foil, not light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.005mm, as rolled, 99%
Praseodymium, foil, not light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.005mm, as rolled, 99%
Gadolinium, wire reel, 25mm, diameter 0.5mm, hard, 99.9%
Praseodymium, foil, not light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.015mm, as rolled, 99%
Gadolinium, wire reel, 50mm, diameter 0.5mm, hard, 99.9%
Praseodymium, foil, not light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.01mm, as rolled, 99%
Ruthenium, Ruthenium, foil, 25x25mm, thickness 1.0mm, 99.9%
Gadolinium, rod, 100mm, diameter 3.0mm, cast, 99%
Gadolinium, rod, 100mm, diameter 12.5mm, cast, 99%
Praseodymium, foil, not light tested, 50x50mm, thickness 0.005mm, as rolled, 99%