Titanium Dioxide Dye-Sensitive Solar Cells

Researchers from the Nanomaterials Research Center at Massey University in New Zealand have developed a range of colored dyes made from organic compounds for use in dye-sensitized solar cells that can reportedly generate electricity at 10 percent of the cost of conventional silicon solar cells. Researcher Wayne Campbell said that the dyes can also be integrated into tinted windows to capture solar power and generate electricity. The dye-sensitive solar cells are made with titanium dioxide, which the article describes as “a plentiful, renewable and non-toxic white mineral obtained from New Zealand’s black sand.” Campbell said: “The refining of pure silicon, although a very abundant mineral, is energy-hungry and very expensive. And whereas silicon cells need direct sunlight to operate efficiently, these cells will work efficiently in low diffuse light conditions.” The research center’s director, Ashton Partridge, said, “The next step is to take these dyes and incorporate them into roofing materials or wall panels.”

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