The high R k/R w value obtained at the optimal dye adsorption time suggests that a large number of electrons are

injected into the photoelectrode [45, 46]. The injected electrons undergo forward transport in the photoanode or recombine with I3 −. This result explains the high J SC value observed CFTRinh-172 price at the optimal dye adsorption time. In addition, the k eff value can be estimated from the characteristic frequency at the top of the central arc (k eff = ω max) of the impedance spectra. The parameter τ eff was then estimated as the reciprocal of k eff (τ eff = 1/k eff) [45]. Table 2 shows that τ eff reaches its highest value at a dye adsorption time of 2 h. Lower τ eff values result at insufficient (<2 h) or prolonged dye adsorption times (>2 h). The trend observed here is unlike that of TiO2-based cells, whose photovoltaic performance and corresponding EIS spectra remain unchanged after an adsorption time of 12 h [34]. The resistance reaches a constant level once sufficient dye molecules are adsorbed onto the TiO2 surfaces, and does not increase at prolonged adsorption times. When the dye adsorption time is insufficient, the ZnO surface is not completely covered with the dye molecules, and certain areas are in direct contact with the electrolyte. Consequently, severe charge recombinations lead to low τ eff and V OC values. Prolonged dye adsorption times can lead to ZnO dissolution

see more and the formation of Zn2+/dye aggregates with acidic dyes [32, 35–37], such as the N719 dye used in this study. Dye aggregation leads to slower electron injection and higher charge recombination [36, 37]. The end result is a lower J SC and overall conversion efficiency [39]. These reports support the trends of τ eff and J SC versus dye adsorption Fossariinae time observed in this study. Table 2 Effects of dye adsorption time on

electron transport properties of fabricated cells Dye adsorption time (h) R k/R w Mean electron lifetime (ms) Effective electron diffusion time (ms) Charge www.selleckchem.com/products/btsa1.html collection efficiency (%) Effective electron diffusion coefficient (×10−3 cm2 s−1) Effective electron diffusion length (μm) 0.5 5.22 8.40 1.61 80.8 4.21 59.4 1 10.61 12.63 1.19 90.6 5.68 84.7 1.5 13.10 12.63 0.96 92.4 7.01 94.1 2 18.43 15.48 0.84 94.6 8.05 111.6 2.5 10.95 13.91 1.27 90.9 5.86 86.0 3 8.68 12.63 1.46 88.5 3.79 76.6 The thickness of the photoelectrode was 26 μm. R k, charge transfer resistance at the ZnO/electrolyte interface; R w, electron transport resistance in the ZnO network. The effective electron diffusion time (τ d) in the photoanodes is given by τ d = τ eff/(R k/R w). The lowest τ d also occurs at the optimal dye adsorption time of 2 h, indicating that the optimal dye adsorption time enhanced electron transport in the ZnO photoanode. Charge collection efficiencies (η CC) were estimated using the relation η CC = 1 − τ d/τ eff[47].