A review on mass transport in dye-sensitized nanocrystalline solar cells

Abstract

DSSC are a promising alternative for the development of a new generation of photovoltaic devices. Models for the mass transport of iodide and triiodide at steady state operation of a nanocrystalline solar cell indicate the tendency for triiodide accumulation at the photoelectrode and even more acute depletion of iodide in the same region. The models developed illustrate operational aspects such as concentration profiles in the cell and the anticipated mass transfer overpotential as a function of current density. An overview of the diffusion and migration processes involved in the photoelectrochemical solar cell has been attempted. Performance of the solar cell on the relevance of mass transport has also been presented. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.