Available photo-charging integrated device constructed with dye-sensitized solar cells and lithium-ion battery

Abstract

The development of self-chargeable lithium-ion batteries is of great significance for expanding the usable range of the lithium-ion battery and it has received intensive attention from numerous researchers. Solar cells can generate electricity from the sunlight and ensure sustainable access to electrical power for charging lithium-ion batteries. Herein, a photo-charging integrated device is constructed by combining four conventional dye-sensitized solar cells and a three-electrode hybrid lithium-ion battery, including a dye-sensitized TiO₂ photo-anode, LiFePO₄ electrode and metal lithium electrode. When the device is operated under solar illumination, DSSCs can match the charging voltage for the hybrid lithium-ion battery. The LiFePO₄ electrode in the three-electrode device plays two roles, serving as a reversible redox agent for the regeneration of dye and as the cathode for lithium-ion batteries. The integrated device can effectively harvest solar energy and store it in situ within the hybrid lithium-ion battery through the photo-charging process. The proposed strategy is in favor of exploiting the small-sized, light-weight, self-chargeable battery and may have the potential to be employed as the power supply for miniaturized sensors and mobile devices.