Abstract: The present invention provides high-throughput systems and methods for the fabrication and evaluation of electrode and electrolyte materials for solid oxide fuel cells. The present invention includes systems and methods for synthesizing and optimizing the performance of electrodes and electrode-electrolyte combinations and utilizes small-scale techniques to perform such optimization based on chemical composition and variable processing. Advantageously, rapid device performance systems and methods coupled with structural and surface systems and methods allow for an increased discovery rate of new materials for solid oxide fuel cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides in one aspect a composition having at least one metal complex, such that the metal complex comprises at least one metal atom, at least one first organic ligand comprising at least one triarylamine group, at least one second ligand comprising at least one acidic group, and at least one thiocyanate or isothiocyanate ligand. This composition may be disposed on a semiconductor layer which is further disposed on an electrically conductive surface to provide a dye-sensitized electrode. The dye-sensitized electrode can be assembled together with a counter electrode and a redox electrolyte to provide a dye-sensitized solar cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides in one aspect a composition having at least one metal complex, such that the metal complex comprises at least one metal atom, a phenanthroline-based first ligand and a second ligand comprising at least one acidic group, and at least two coordinative nitrogen atoms capable of simultaneous binding to the metal atom. This composition may be disposed on a semiconductor layer which is further disposed on an electrically conductive surface to provide a dye-sensitized electrode. The dye-sensitized electrode can be assembled together with a counter electrode and a redox electrolyte to provide a dye-sensitized solar cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dye-sensitized oxide semiconductor electrode comprising an electrically conductive substrate, an oxide semiconductor film provided on a surface of said electrically conductive substrate, and a sensitizing dye adsorbed on said film, wherein the oxide semiconductor film has been further treated with at least one silanizing agent comprising the partial structure R1—Si—OR2, wherein R1 and R2 are each independently alkyl groups, or R1 is an alkyl group and R2 is hydrogen or aryl. Also disclosed are solar cells comprising said electrode and a method for improving the efficiency of the solar cells. The solar cells exhibit improved efficiency and other beneficial properties compared to similar cells not having the passivated electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides high-throughput systems and methods for the fabrication and evaluation of electrode and electrolyte materials for solid oxide fuel cells. The present invention includes systems and methods for synthesizing and optimizing the performance of electrodes and electrode-electrolyte combinations and utilizes small-scale techniques to perform such optimization based on chemical composition and variable processing. Advantageously, rapid device performance systems and methods coupled with structural and surface systems and methods allow for an increased discovery rate of new materials for solid oxide fuel cells.