Photovoltaics and its magnetic-field promotion effect in dye-sensitized solar cells with BiFeO3 + TiO2 composite photoanodes.

We report on an alternative modified TiO 2 -based photoanode for obtaining enhanced photovoltaic (PV) properties in DSSCs. Multiferroics BiFeO 3 was employed to construct BiFeO 3 +TiO 2 composite photoanode for DSSCs. Here, BiFeO 3 may also act as photoelectric conversion medium and increases photogenerated carrier transport channels, consequently, improves the PCE of DSSCs with BiFeO 3 +TiO 2 composite photoanodes. More importantly, magnetic-field enhanced PV properties in abovementioned DSSCs was firstly obtained. The investigated results offer both an alternative method to improve PV properties in DSSCs, and a referential train of thought to manipulate photoelectric properties of solar cells. [Display omitted] • Multiferroics BiFeO 3 , which presents magnetic, electric, and visible light catalytic properties, was firstly introduced to act as part of photoanode in the investigation of DSSCs. • Enhancement of photoelectric conversion efficiency in DSSC devices with BiFeO 3 + TiO 2 composite photoanodes has been obtained , indicating an alternative approach for enhancing photoelectric conversion efficiency of solar cells is achieved. Also, suggesting a promising potential in the application of photoelectric conversion. • External magnetic field enhancing photoelectric conversion performance was observed firstly in DSSC devices with BiFeO 3 + TiO 2 composite photoanodes. • Providing a universal way that can be available in photovoltaic cell field by non-contact external magnetic field modulation method. In dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), the light absorbance of photoanode is the most important factor in power conversion efficiency (PCE). Here the authors report on an alternative modified TiO 2 -based photoanode for obtaining enhanced photovoltaic (PV) properties in DSSCs. Multiferroics BiFeO 3 , which possesses excellent magnetic, electric, and photocatalytic performances, was employed to construct BiFeO 3 + TiO 2 composite photoanode for DSSCs. In this type of DSSCs with BiFeO 3 + TiO 2 composite photoanodes, BiFeO 3 with suitable bandgap may also act as photoelectric conversion medium, which is generally acted by dye in DSSCs, and increases photogenerated carrier transport channels, which improves the PCE of DSSCs with BiFeO 3 + TiO 2 composite photoanodes. More importantly, magnetic-field enhanced PV properties in abovementioned DSSCs was firstly obtained, which may result from magnetic-field-suppression the recombination of charge carriers and magnetoresistance effect in BiFeO 3. The investigated results offer both an alternative method to improve PV properties in DSSCs, and a referential train of thought to manipulate photoelectric properties of solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]