Improved photovoltages for p-type dye-sensitized solar cells using CuCrO2 nanoparticles

CuCrO 2 has been investigated as an alternative to conventionally used NiO in p-type dye sensitized solar cells (p-DSCs) using I - /I 3 - - and [Co(en) 3 ] 2+/3+ -based redox mediators. The favorable valence band edge position of CuCrO 2 affords open circuit voltages as high as 734 mV when [Co(en) 3 ] 2+/3+ is deployed as redox mediator. This is the highest reported open circuit voltage for any p-DSC to date, introducing mesoporous CuCrO 2 electrodes as a promising alternative to traditional NiO.