Interfacial Engineering in Functional Materials for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Offers an Interdisciplinary approach to the engineering of functional materials for efficient solar cell technology

Written by a collection of experts in the field of solar cell technology, this book focuses on the engineering of a variety of functional materials for improving photoanode efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). The first two chapters describe operation principles of DSSC, charge transfer dynamics, as well as challenges and solutions for improving DSSCs. The remaining chapters focus on interfacial engineering of functional materials at the photoanode surface to create greater output efficiency.

Interfacial Engineering in Functional Materials for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells begins by introducing readers to the history, configuration, components, and working principles of DSSC It then goes on to cover both nanoarchitectures and light scattering materials as photoanode. Function of compact (blocking) layer in the photoanode and of TiCl4 post-treatment in the photoanode are examined at next. Next two chapters look at photoanode function of doped semiconductors and binary semiconductor metal oxides. Other chapters consider nanocomposites, namely, plasmonic nanocomposites, carbon nanotube based nanocomposites, graphene based nanocomposites, and graphite carbon nitride based nanocompositesas photoanodes. The book:

• Provides comprehensive coverage of the fundamentals through the applications of DSSC
• Encompasses topics on various functional materials for DSSC technology
• Focuses on the novel design and application of materials in DSSC, to develop more efficient renewable energy sources
• Is useful for material scientists, engineers, physicists, and chemists interested in functional materials for the design of efficient solar cells

Interfacial Engineering in Functional Materials for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells will be of great benefit to graduate students, researchers and engineers, who work in the multi-disciplinary areas of material science, engineering, physics, and chemistry.

ALAGARSAMY PANDIKUMAR, PHD, is Scientist at CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi, India. His research includes development of novel materials involving graphene, graphitic carbon nitrides, and transition metal chalcogenides in combination with metals, metal oxides, polymers and carbon nanotubes for applications in photocatalysis, photoelectrocatalysis, dye-sensitized solar cells and electrochemical sensor.

KANDASAMY JOTHIVENKATACHALAM, PHD, is Professor of Chemistry at Anna University, BIT campus, Tiruchirappalli, India. His research interests include photocatalysis, photoelectrochemistry, photoelectrocatalysis, and chemically modified electrodes.

KARUPPANAPILLAI B. BHOJANAA, MSc, is DST-INSPIRE Research Fellow at Functional Materials Division, CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi, India.