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A Di-Carbazole-Based Dye as a Potential Sensitizer for Greenhouse-Integrated Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Author

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  • Dimitris A. Chalkias

    (Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Peloponnese, GR26334 Patras, Greece)

  • Christos Charalampopoulos

    (Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, GR26504 Rio-Patras, Greece)

  • Stefania Aivali

    (Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, GR26504 Rio-Patras, Greece)

  • Aikaterini K. Andreopoulou

    (Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, GR26504 Rio-Patras, Greece)

  • Aggeliki Karavioti

    (Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Peloponnese, GR26334 Patras, Greece
    Department of Physics, University of Patras, GR26504 Rio-Patras, Greece)

  • Elias Stathatos

    (Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Peloponnese, GR26334 Patras, Greece)

Abstract

For the first time in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) technology, a di-carbazole-based dye was synthesized and evaluated for its usage as a potential sensitizer for the development of wavelength selective semi-transparent DSSCs for greenhouses-oriented applications. The dye was designed to demonstrate a blue light absorption, allowing a high transmittance in the red region of the visible light, even after its adsorption on the anode semiconductor, which is the most important one for the photosynthetic action of the plants. The application of the new dye to DSSCs was examined using either a high-performance iodide-based electrolyte or a highly transparent iodine-free electrolyte to determine a good balance between electric power generation and device transparency. The spectral engineered DSSCs demonstrated quite promising characteristics, providing a high external quantum efficiency (higher than 70%) in the whole blue–green region of the visible light, while allowing high transparency (up to 55%) in the red region, where the second peak in the absorbance spectrum of chlorophyll is located. Finally, the derived results were discussed under the consideration of important metrics for this niche application, including the transparency of the solar cells in the region of photosynthetic active radiation and the attained crop growth factor. The present work constitutes one of the few comprehensive studies carried out up to now in the direction of the development of 3rd generation “agrivoltaics” for their possible integration as cladding materials in energy-autonomous greenhouses.

Suggested Citation

  • Dimitris A. Chalkias & Christos Charalampopoulos & Stefania Aivali & Aikaterini K. Andreopoulou & Aggeliki Karavioti & Elias Stathatos, 2021. "A Di-Carbazole-Based Dye as a Potential Sensitizer for Greenhouse-Integrated Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:4:p:1159-:d:503685
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    Cited by:

    1. Mi-Ra Kim & Thanh Chung Pham & Yeonghwan Choi & Seah Yang & Hyun-Seock Yang & Sung Heum Park & Mijeong Kang & Songyi Lee, 2022. "Syntheses and Photovoltaic Properties of New Pyrazine-Based Organic Photosensitizers for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-17, August.
    2. Jessica Barichello & Luigi Vesce & Paolo Mariani & Enrico Leonardi & Roberto Braglia & Aldo Di Carlo & Antonella Canini & Andrea Reale, 2021. "Stable Semi-Transparent Dye-Sensitized Solar Modules and Panels for Greenhouse Application," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-16, October.
    3. Usman Ghafoor & Anas Bin Aqeel & Uzair Khaleeq uz Zaman & Taiba Zahid & Muhammad Noman & Muhammad Shakeel Ahmad, 2021. "Effect of Molybdenum Disulfide on the Performance of Polyaniline Based Counter Electrode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-9, June.
    4. Carmen Coppola & Maria Laura Parisi & Adalgisa Sinicropi, 2023. "The Role of Organic Compounds in Dye-Sensitized and Perovskite Solar Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-4, January.
    5. Carlos Toledo & Alessandra Scognamiglio, 2021. "Agrivoltaic Systems Design and Assessment: A Critical Review, and a Descriptive Model towards a Sustainable Landscape Vision (Three-Dimensional Agrivoltaic Patterns)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-38, June.

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