Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Vol.95, No.1, 301-305, 2011
Improvement in long-term stability of dye-sensitized solar cell for outdoor use
To improve the intrinsic stability of the component of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), we have fabricated the unit cell using solvent-free ionic liquid electrolyte. The degradation in the continuous 1 sun light soaking test at 60 degrees C over 15,000 h was effectively suppressed, compared with the cell using gamma-butyrolactone electrolyte. The lifetime for outdoor use was estimated over 15 years from acceleration factor based on the outdoor exposure test. To confirm the stability of the DSC under practical outdoor use, we fabricated the solar light using the DSC modules, rechargeable batteries and bright light emitting diode (LED). The solar lights have been emitting a bright white light at night using the electricity from batteries charged by the DSC modules during the daytime in any weather condition for a half year. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords:Dye-sensitized solar cells;Long-term stability;Module;Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy;Ionic liquid