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ECN publication
Title:
Stability of sealed nanocrystalline organic photovoltaic devices
 
Author(s):
 
Published by: Publication date:
ECN Solar Energy 1997
 
ECN report number: Document type:
ECN-RX--97-032 Article (scientific)
 
Number of pages:
6  

Published in: Paper, presented at the 14th European photovoltaic solar energy conference and exhibition, 30 June - 4 July, Barcelona, Spain (), , , Vol., p.-.

Abstract:
In contrast to conventional silicon photovoltaic devices, the dyesensitized solar cell (DSC) converts light energy to electricity on a molecular level, similar to natural photosynthesis. This type of cells contain components which are sensitive to degradation. Stability testing is required to judge whether applied materials fulfill requirements concerning stability. Total stability of the cell can be divided into physical and chemical stability. Physical stability addresses the evaporation of the electrolytic solvents which can be prevented by adequate sealing. Chemical stability includes factors as: dye and electrolyte degradation and TiO2 catalyzed oxidation of the organic components. Stability tests have been conducted at Solaronix with polymer sealed devices containing viscous electrolyte with a high boiling point (glutarodinitrile). For high power applications volatile electrolytes with low viscosity (acetonitrile) give the best performance. Sealing materials used up to now could not prevent evaporation of acetonitrile. Hence, novel devices sealed with an O-ring material are under test at ECN. Long term stability testing carried out on the Solaronix polymer sealed device revealed that no significant degradation of the stability occurs over a period of 9600 hours of continuous illumination. This indicates that the dye sensitized solar cell is physically and chemically stable during the period of illumination. 5 figs., 1 ref.


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