HSC Chemistry Research Task

Production of Materials: The Grtzell Cell

DSSC (Dye Sensitized Solar Cell) / Grtzell Cell

Introduction:
As the worlds energy sources become increasingly scarce, governments have begun to invest in
cleaner more sustainable sources of energy. The standard silicon based Photovoltaic cell is a
possible remedy and is highly efficient, however due to the high cost of parts, it cannot be mass
produced and therefore cannot support global energy needs. The Grtzell Cell, (a form of
Photovoltaic Cell) also known as the Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSCC) is a revolution in the clean
energy industry due to its relatively low cost of production and ability to convert any visible light
(artificial or natural) into energy. It mimics natures absorption of light energy in the typical leaf
structure and can thus be likened to a form artificial photosynthesis.

Structure of the DSSC (Grtzell Cell)

The DSSC (Grtzell Cell) is in essence, a sandwich structure composed of three main layers. [3]
1. A glass sheet with transparent conducting oxide coating which serves as an anode
2. A highly porous semi-conductor layer (usually of TiO2) which has an extremely high
Structure

Function

Anode
Semi Conductor (Titanium Dioxide, TiO2)
Photosensitive Dye
Electrolyte Layer (Iodine, Triodide)
Cathode
relative molecular surface area. This is coated in a photosensitive dye (Ruthenium).
3.

Chemistry and Function of the Cell

1. The dye is the photoactive material of DSSC, and can produce electricity once it is
sensitized by light
2. The dye catches photons of incoming light and uses their energy to excite electrons,
behaving like chlorophyll in photosynthesis
3. The dye injects this excited electron into the semi-conducter Titanium Dioxide (a white
pigment commonly found in white paint)
4. The electron is conducted away by nano-crystalline titanium dioxide (a nano-scale
crystallized form of the titanium dioxide).
5. A chemical electrolyte in the cell, usually iodine, then closes the circuit so that the electrons
are returned back to the dye
6. It is the movement of these electrons that creates energy which can be harvested into a
rechargeable battery, super capacitor or another electrical device.

Bibliography:

1. http://gcell.com/dye-sensitized-solar-cells
2. http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/technical-documents/articles/material-matters/efficient-dyesensitized.html
3. http://electrons.wikidot.com/dye-sensitized-solar-cell
4.