The European Physical Journal Applied Physics

Table of Contents - April 2010 - Volume 50, Issue 01 (Focus on Electrical Contacts)  

Physics of Energy Generation Transfer, Conversion and Storage

Modelling chemical composition in electric systems – implications to the dynamics of dye-sensitised solar cells

T. Kovanena1, T. Tarhasaaria1, L. Kettunena1 and J. Korppi-Tommolaa2

Tampere University of Technology, Electromagnetics, P.O. Box 692, 33101 Tampere, Finland

University of Jyväskylä, Department of Chemistry/Nanoscience Center, P.O. Box 35, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland

Abstract

Classical electromagnetism provides limited means to model electric generators. To extend the classical theory in this respect, additional information on microscopic processes is required. In semiconductor devices and electrochemical generators such information may be obtained by modelling chemical composition. Here we use this approach for the modelling of dye-sensitised solar cells. We simulate the steady-state current-voltage characteristics of such a cell, as well as its transient response. Dynamic simulations show optoelectronic hysteresis in these cells under transient light pulse illumination.

(Received April 23 2009)

(Revised October 6 2009)

(Accepted January 4 2010)

(Online publication February 26 2010)

tuomas.kovanen@tut.fi