An intermediate band dye-sensitised solar cell using triplet–triplet annihilation

Abstract

A new mechanism of charge photogeneration is demonstrated for the first time, based on organic molecular structures. This intermediate band approach, integrated into a dye-sensitised solar cell configuration is shown to generate charges upon illumination with low energy photons. Specifically 610 nm photoexcitation of Pt porphyrins, through a series of energy transfer steps and triplet–triplet annihilation, excites a higher energy absorption onset molecule, which is then capable of charge injection into TiO₂. Transient absorption measurements reveal further detail of the processes involved.