Electron injection dynamics in dye-sensitized semiconductor nanocrystalline films

We have summarized recent ultrafast spectroscopic studies on phenomena associated with dye-sensitization of semiconductor metal oxide nanoparticles, especially TiO₂ nanocrystalline film from a surface science perspective with a strong relation to mechanism of electron injection in dye-sensitized solar cells, which are attracting much interest from both viewpoints of pure science and applied science.

A lot of chemical and physical processes are involved in this solar cell, such as light harvesting by molecules and nanostructures, interfacial electron transfer, charge migration in solid and electrolyte, degradation of the materials, and so on. Among them, the very primary process initiated by photoabsorption by sensitizing dye molecules; that is, electron injection from excited adsorbates into the conduction band of semiconductor metal oxides is significantly important, because this process must be 100% efficient with a minimum driving force for high current and voltage generation.

We have first focused on details of experimental methods used in this research area, and then in the following Sections, have organized this review by concentrating on each parameter that influences dynamics of electron injection in dye-sensitized semiconductors. Finally we have emphasized it is important to measure actual DSSCs for the precise comparison between electron injection dynamics and device performance.