Harnessing energy through dye-sensitized solar technology

When it comes to photovoltaic technology, it is safe to say that silicon based solar cells have been a mainstay in the commercial solar market. While the efficiency of silicon solar cells has improved greatly through the decades, many challenges still remain when it comes to making the technology more affordable in the commercial arena. With this in mind, many researchers have begun experimenting with alternative designs for solar cells that can offer the same efficiently of pricey silicon solar cells in a much more affordable package.

One particular design that has generated significant interest in photovoltaics research is the concept of dye-sensitized solar cells, or DSSCs. By using a variety of highly absorbent dye molecules, DSSCs can effectively mimic the process of photosynthesis to produce usable electricity on a small scale—all in a much more cost-effective package than pricey silicon-based technology.

Expanding DSSCs to accommodate large-scale consumer needs continues to be a hot research topic at universities throughout the country, and thanks to SD EPSCoR funding, Brian Logue, associate professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry at SDSU, has made some significant strides towards developing new DSSCs for commercial use.

"The goal of our research team at SDSU is to develop and implement a variety of novel DSSCs for eventual commercial distribution," Said Logue.

"SD EPSCoR funding has helped us assemble a dedicated research team that continues to make strides towards developing scalable DSSCs for commercial use, and we are very excited for what the future holds for this technology."

With three graduate students, one postdoc student, and a number of SDSU faculty members on his team, Logue's group has begun researching and developing dye molecules that can expand the spectrum of photovoltaic devices to absorb near-infrared radiation (NIR), a nearly invisible light source that can greatly improve the potency of DSSCs.

"Near-infrared radiation harbors tremendous potential for improving current DSSC models," said Logue. "So far our team has been able to create three novel NIR absorbing dye molecules that we hope to implement into an efficient new solar cell design."

In addition to discovering the new dyes, Logue's group has also worked to develop a compact dye layer that engineers can apply to classical DSSC models to help improve their efficiency. Combined, these discoveries are a small step towards making scalable commercial DSSC technology a reality.

"Scalable DSSC commercial technology harbors countless environmental and economical benefits," said Logue. "By reducing our dependency on harmful fossil fuels, DSSC devices can help move us forward towards cleaner, more renewable energy—creating a better world for generations to come."