The use of 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole as a new co-adsorbent in dye-sensitized solar cells

Using co-adsorbents is an efficient strategy to improve the photoconversion energy efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). Some organic molecules might be used as these dye additives, suppressing the back-electron recombination by some changes in TiO2/dye/electrolyte interfase. In this perspective, the literature shows the use of 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole in some papers as a passivator to electrode process reactions. This work aims to study the influence of 2-MBT in DSSc produced with TiO2 as a scaffold material. A complete electrochemical characterization was performed, by j-V curves, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, and Intensity-Modulated Photovoltage and Photocurrent Spectroscopy. It was verified that in 20 mg mL−1 of additive inserted in a dye, lead to a higher photoconversion energy efficiency (PCE = 4.20 ± 0.61), with a superior electron lifetime (ԏr = 0.054 s) when compared to bared cell (PCE = 2.65 ± 0.65 ԏr = 0.0311 s). Regarding the charge transfer process of collection reaction, 2-MBT difficult the charge transportation, due to oxide coverage proportional to dye additive amounts added. [Display omitted] •2-Mercaptobenzothiazole (2-MBT) can be used as aditive in a dye solar device.•20 mg mL−1 of 2-MBT insertion has been increased the photoelectrical parameters of the cell.•Steric hindrance caused by the 2-MBT molecules supressed the back-electron recombination.