Integration of photonic crystals in dye sensitized solar cells

The solar-to-electric power conversion efficiency of dye sensitized solar cells can be greatly enhanced by integrating a porous and highly reflecting photonic crystal in the device. The light harvesting enhancement is based on the enlargement of optical absorption caused by longer matter-radiation interaction time, which takes place at certain ranges of wavelengths. Photons are localized within the dye-sensitized electrode due to the effect of the photonic crystal, so the probability of optical absorption, and therefore the photogenerated current, is enhanced. The proposed photonic crystals are porous to allow a proper flow of the electrolyte through it and to prevent the introduction of internal resistance in the cell, which might alter the charge transport dynamics.