On the Underlying Mechanism of Light-Induced Patterning of N719-Stained Photoanodes for "Photovoltaic Photographs"

Allyson Robert; Nico Fransaert; Willem Awouters; Wouter Marchal; Peter Adriaensens; Roland Valcke; Jean V. Manca

doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114113

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arXiv · 2507.03008

On the Underlying Mechanism of Light-Induced Patterning of N719-Stained Photoanodes for "Photovoltaic Photographs"

Allyson Robert·Nico Fransaert·Willem Awouters·Wouter Marchal·Peter Adriaensens·Roland Valcke·Jean V. Manca

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Abstract

Recently, "photovoltaic photographs" were proposed as a creative application of photovoltaic technologies, relevant in fields such as architecture or the automotive industry. In this application an image is created by light-induced patterning of the photoactive layer, causing a local change in the appearance of the solar cell. In order to further develop this concept, it is crucial to elucidate the mechanism underlying these local changes. Here, UV-VIS and infrared spectroscopic techniques, as well as Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, have been used to investigate the physico-chemical changes induced by this process in the photoactive layer of proof-of-concept photo-patterned dye-sensitized solar cells. We show that, for N719 photovoltaic photographs, TiO2 plays a crucial role and that the dye undergoes a multi-step chemical degradation, related to its isothiocyanate ligand. These insights are of importance for a better understanding of the photo-induced degradation of N719, a more substantiated control of the light-induced patterning process, and to design appropriate light-induced patterning techniques for other classes of solar cells.

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Allyson Robert, Nico Fransaert, Willem Awouters, Wouter Marchal, Peter Adriaensens, Roland Valcke, Jean V. Manca. 2025-07-02. On the Underlying Mechanism of Light-Induced Patterning of N719-Stained Photoanodes for "Photovoltaic Photographs". https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2025.114113

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