Abstract

A solid-state photo-rechargeable capacitor (photocapacitor) is obtained here by coupling a dye-sensitized solar cell and a ruthenium oxide based electrochem. capacitor. This integrated system permits direct storage of energy generated by sunlight within a single optoelectronic microelectrochem. device. It utilizes three planar electrodes arranged sequentially to include a polymer hole conductor (poly-(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl)), between the titanium oxide photoanode modified with dye (E)-3-(5-(4-(Bis(20,40-dibutoxybiphenyl-4-yl)amino)phenyl)thiophen-2-yl)-2-cyanoacrylic acid (D35) and the intermediate silver electrode as well as two hydrous ruthenium oxide layers (sepd. by protonically conducting Nafion membrane) between the intermediate (silver) and the external (counter) electrode. Upon integration of the capacitor and dye-sensitized solar cell into a single photocapacitor hybrid device, the following parameters were obtained under simulated 100 mW cm-2 solar illumination: specific capacitance, 407 F g-1 (3.26 F cm-2); energy and power densities, 0.17 mWh cm-2 and 0.34 mW cm-2 and coulombic efficiency, 88%. These data together with results of expts. performed at different light intensities (10-100 mW cm-2) are consistent with very good performance of the optoelectronic device under various light conditions.

Details

Actions