ELECTRON INJECTION AT DYE-SENSITIZED SEMICONDUCTOR ELECTRODES

Annual Review of Physical Chemistry

Vol. 56:119-156 (Volume publication date 5 May 2005)
First published online as a Review in Advance on November 11, 2004
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.physchem.56.092503.141142

Abstract

▪ Abstract Electron injection at dye-sensitized semiconductors is reviewed. Particular emphasis is placed on theoretical and photoelectrochemical studies of dye-sensitized planar and single-crystal electrodes. The accepted mechanism of electron injection, which was derived from these classical studies, is introduced. Selected photoelectrochemical studies of dye-sensitized nanocrystalline semiconductors are reviewed; emphasis is given to factors that influence the efficiencies of electron injection and charge recombination. The development of quasi-solid-state nanocrystalline dye-sensitized solar cells is also discussed. Recent time-resolved spectroscopic studies of electron injection and charge recombination are reviewed. These studies have led to a better understanding of electron injection mechanisms, and have revealed the limitations of the classical models.

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