Dye-Sensitized Nanocrystalline Solar Cell

This resource, provided by Nanotechnology Applications and Career Knowledge Support Center (NACK Center), is an 18-page guide for a lab on the construction of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC). Upon completion of the lab, students will be able to:

• Understand the basic concepts of energy conversion, fossil fuels, and solar cells
• Describe how a dye-sensitized solar cell works and the benefits of TiO2 [titanium dioxide]
• Understand the chemical properties and UV-Vis spectra of dyes used in DSCs
• Fabricate a simple DSC capable of converting sunlight into electricity
• Determine the current-voltage and power output characteristics of solar cells.

The lab guide includes materials needed, the 15-step lab procedure, and background information on solar cells, the negative impact of fossil fuels, and the operation of a dye-sensitized solar cell. Also included are instructions around remote access connection, which allows for the remote, nanoscale characterization of samples from the classroom activity.