Insights into corrosion in dye solar cells

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Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
School of Science | A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä
Date
2015
Major/Subject
Mcode
Degree programme
Language
en
Pages
1045-1056
Series
Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications, Volume 23, Issue 8
Abstract
The main issue in using low cost metals in dye solar cells is the corrosion caused by the liquid electrolyte. Contrary to typical applications of metals, the adverse effects of corrosion in dye solar cells are related to irreversible depletion of charge carriers from the electrolyte rather than consumption of the metal itself. It is calculated that the penetration rate due to corrosion should not exceed 10−4 mpy (a couple of nanometers per year) to ensure device lifetime longer than 1 year. This is 10 000 times slower rate than what is considered to be a general benchmark value for very low corrosion rate in the field of corrosion science and has a major effect on how corrosion should be investigated in the case of dye solar cells. Different methods, their applicability, and limitations to investigate corrosion in dye solar cells are evaluated here. The issue with most techniques is that they can detect metals that are clearly corroding, but they have significant limitations in proving a metal stable. Our investigation shows that the most reliable information on corrosion is obtained from complete dye solar cells that are exposed to working conditions. A combination of color analysis of the electrolyte to such measurement is proposed as a means to extrapolate future performance of the cells and estimate potential lifetimes of the dye solar cells in regards to corrosion.
Description
Keywords
metal, stability, redox couple, corrosion, dye-sensitized
Other note
Citation
Miettunen, Kati & Etula, Jarkko & Saukkonen, Tapio & Jouttijärvi, Sami & Halme, Janne & Romu, Jyrki & Lund, Peter. 2015. Insights into corrosion in dye solar cells. Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications. Volume 23, Issue 8. 1045-1056. ISSN 1062-7995 (printed). DOI: 10.1002/pip.2534.