Abstract
We demonstrate a
⩾
8
%
efficient nanocrystalline dye-sensitized solar cell retaining over 98% of its initial performance after 1000 h of accelerated tests subjected to thermal stress at 80°C in the dark. Device degradation was also negligible following 1000 h of visible light soaking at 60°C. This high performance and stable device was realized by using a robust electrolyte of low volatility in conjunction with the amphiphilic ruthenium sensitizer
[
Ru
(
4
,
4
′
-dicarboxylic acid-
2
,
2
′
-bipyridine
)
(
4
,
4
′
-
bis
(
p
-hexyloxystyryl
)
-
2
,
2
′
-bipyridine
)
(
NCS
)
2
]
, coded as K-19, which was grafted together with 1-decylphosphonic acid on the mesoporous titania film acting as photoanode.