Corrole Sensitized Solar Cells

Citation

Walker, Don (2011) Corrole Sensitized Solar Cells. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/XQBW-D585. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:09282010-221227791

Abstract

The performance of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) was investigated as a function of electrolyte composition and dye sensitizer. Electrolytes consisting of increasing concentrations of bromide and tri-bromide effectively increased the current of DSSCs while conserving an increase in open circuit voltage. Corroles were used to investigate their efficacy as light absorbers for DSSCs. Electronic spectroscopy of corroles demonstrated that the spectra of corroles could be red shifted through β substitution. Also, the changes in the electronic spectra of corroles was not affected by adsorption to TiO2. Electrochemical data concluded that the functionalization of the β positions of the corroles did not significantly affect the corrole's redox potentials. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed that the corroles were chemically adsorbed onto TiO₂. Photoelectrochemical measurements concluded that the corroles are efficient sensitizers for DSSCs. A highly efficient corrole utilizing sulfonic acid binding groups was discovered. Also, a corrole with a malonic acid binding group was 70% as efficient as one of the best performing dye sensitizers in DSSCs.

Thesis Files