title: Optimizing CuO p-type dye-sensitized solar cells by using a comprehensive electrochemical impedance spectroscopic study.
abstract: We introduce a novel and comprehensive approach for the evaluation and interpretation of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements in p-type DSSCs. In detail, we correlate both the device performance and EIS figures-of-merit of a series of devices in which, the calcination temperature, film thickness, and electrolyte concentration have been systematically modified. This new approach enables the separation of the different processes across the dye/semiconductor/electrolyte interface, namely the unfavorable charge recombination and the favorable electron injection/regeneration processes. In addition, studies on non-sensitized CuO and NiO electrodes provide insights into their affinity towards a reaction with the electrolyte - CuO is far less reactive towards the polyiodide species. Overall, this work underlines the superior features of CuO with respect to NiO for p-DSSCs and demonstrates a comprehensive optimization of the CuO-based DSSCs with respect to the device architecture by the aid of EIS analysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstr. 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany. ruben.costa@fau.de dirk.guldi@fau.de.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Langmar
authors.affiliation: Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, and Institute for Advanced Research In Chemical Sciences (IAdChem), C/Francisco Tomás y Valiente 7, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Carolina R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Ganivet
authors.affiliation: Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, and Institute for Advanced Research In Chemical Sciences (IAdChem), C/Francisco Tomás y Valiente 7, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Gema
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: de la Torre
authors.affiliation: Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, and Institute for Advanced Research In Chemical Sciences (IAdChem), C/Francisco Tomás y Valiente 7, 28049 Madrid, Spain and Instituto Madrileño de Estudios Avanzados (IMDEA)-Nanociencia c/ Faraday, 9, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Tomás
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstr. 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany. ruben.costa@fau.de dirk.guldi@fau.de.
authors.forename: Rubén D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstr. 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany. ruben.costa@fau.de dirk.guldi@fau.de.
authors.forename: Dirk M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Guldi