The Co-adsorbent Effects of Nicotinic Acid and 1-Ethyl-3-Carboxypyridinium Iodide on the Performance of Dye-sensitized Solar Cells under Indoor Light Condition

The Co-adsorbent Effects of Nicotinic Acid and 1-Ethyl-3-Carboxypyridinium Iodide on the Performance of Dye-sensitized Solar Cells under Indoor Light Condition

In this study, nicotinic acid (NTA) and its derivative, 1-ethyl-3-carboxypyridinium iodide ([ECP][I]), were utilized asco-adsorbents in the dye adsorption process of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The co-adsorbent effects of the two moleculeson the performance of DSSCs under indoor light illumination were investigated. The results showed that both the NTA and[ECP][I] significantly enhanced the short-circuit current density (Jsc), fill factor (FF), and output power relative tonon-co-adsorbent device. Under the illumination of T5 light at an intensity of 200 lux, NTA (1.0 mM) showed 24.71μAcm-2 inJsc and 10.83μWcm-2 in output power, and [ECP][I] (0.5 mM) displayed 23.80μAcm-2 in Jsc and 10.33μWcm-2 in outputpower. Also, using NTA, the output power value of the device was slightly higher than that obtained with chenodeoxycholic acid(CDCA). However, the performance by [ECP][I] is similar to the one that is commonly used in the literature. Both NTA and[ECP][I] could also be possibly used as co-adsorbents in dye-sensitized solar cells under indoor applications.