Dye-sensitized CuAlO2 photocathodes for tandem solar cell applications

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) using the p-type semiconductor CuAlO2, in conjunction with a highly effective hole injecting dye and an iodide-triiodide-based electrolyte have been produced, demonstrating photocathodic behavior. An improved open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 333 mV was observed, compared to analogous devices using NiO, which can be explained by the CuAlO2 valence-band energy, which is lower on the vacuum scale than that of NiO. Incident photon-to-charge-carrier efficiency response confirms that the observed photocurrent is generated by the dye.