High Open-Circuit Voltages: Evidence for a Sensitizer-Induced TiO₂ Conduction Band Shift in Ru(II)-Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC) represent a valuable, efficient, and low-cost alternative to conventional semiconductor photovoltaic devices. A deeper understanding of the interactions at the dye/semiconductor heterointerface is fundamental for future progress in DSC technology. Here we present an interesting heteroleptic ruthenium(II) sensitizer that shifts the conduction band of TiO2 by 80 mV resulting in high open circuit potential for improved device efficiency.