In one aspect, nanostructured films are described herein comprising controlled architectures on multiple length scales (e.g. 3). As described further herein, the ability to control film properties on multiple length scales enables tailoring structures of the films to specific applications including, but not limited to, optoelectronic, catalytic and photoelectrochemical cell applications. In some embodiments, a nanostructured film comprises a porous inorganic scaffold comprising particles of an electrically insulating inorganic oxide. An electrically conductive metal oxide coating is adhered to the porous inorganic scaffold, wherein the conductive metal oxide coating binds adjacent particles of the insulating inorganic oxide.

An organic dye corresponding to one of the following structures (I) or (II): eD-pi-conjugated chromophore-L-A (I), or A-L-pi-conjugated chromophore-eD (II), where eD represents an electron donor segment, L represents a covalent bond or a spacer segment and in particular a pi-conjugated spacer segment, A represents an electron acceptor segment capable of forming a covalent bond with a semiconductor, in which the pi-conjugated chromophore comprises at least one unit of formula (III): ##STR00001##
in which the radicals R1 and R2, which are identical or different, represent an optionally substituted aryl group; the radicals R3 to R8, which are identical or different, represent a hydrogen, an optionally substituted alkyl group or an optionally substituted aryl group; and X1 and X2, which are identical or different, are chosen from S, Se and O.

A solar cell module includes a substrate, an element section disposed on the substrate and including a unit cell, a sealer, and a first material. The element section and the first material are housed in a space sealed with the sealer. The unit cell includes a pair of electrodes having conductivity and includes a light-absorbing layer located between the pair of electrodes and converting light into electric charge. The light-absorbing layer includes a perovskite compound represented by a compositional formula AMX.sub.3, where A represents a monovalent cation, M represents a divalent cation, and X represents a monovalent anion. The first material is an amine derivative represented by a compositional formula (Q.sub.1Q.sub.2Q.sub.3-NH)Y, where Q.sub.1, Q.sub.2, and Q.sub.3 each independently represent a functional group including at least one element selected from the group consisting of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen; and Y represents a halogen.

In one aspect, nanostructured films are described herein comprising controlled architectures on multiple length scales (e.g. 3). As described further herein, the ability to control film properties on multiple length scales enables tailoring structures of the films to specific applications including, but not limited to, optoelectronic, catalytic and photoelectrochemical cell applications. In some embodiments, a nanostructured film comprises a porous inorganic scaffold comprising particles of an electrically insulating inorganic oxide. An electrically conductive metal oxide coating is adhered to the porous inorganic scaffold, wherein the conductive metal oxide coating binds adjacent particles of the insulating inorganic oxide.

In one aspect, solar energy systems are described herein. In some embodiments, such a comprises an electrochemical cell comprising a photoelectrode, a counter electrode, and an ion transport membrane disposed between the photoelectrode and counter electrode. The cell further comprises a first electrolyte solution disposed in fluid communication with the photoelectrode and the membrane, and a second electrolyte solution disposed in fluid communication with the membrane and the counter electrode. The first and/or second electrolyte solution comprises a solvated redox pair. Additionally, the cell also comprises a storage electrode, a first external electrical connection between the photoelectrode and the counter electrode, and a second external electrical connection between the counter electrode and the storage electrode. Components of the system define a liquid junction photovoltaic cell under light conditions and a galvanic cell under dark conditions.

The present invention features a solar-to-electric energy conversion device based on a light absorbing electrode coupled to a one-dimensional nanoparticle based photonic crystal. The function of the latter is to localize the incident light within the electrode thus enhancing the optical absorption and the power conversion efficiency of the so called dye-sensitized and organic (polymer based or hybrids) cell. The photonic crystal comprises alternating layers possessing different index of refraction and can be easily integrated into the cell.

The invention provides an optoelectronic device comprising a porous material, which porous material comprises a semiconductor comprising a perovskite. The porous material may comprise a porous perovskite. Thus, the porous material may be a perovskite material which is itself porous. Additionally or alternatively, the porous material may comprise a porous dielectric scaffold material, such as alumina, and a coating disposed on a surface thereof, which coating comprises the semiconductor comprising the perovskite. Thus, in some embodiments the porosity arises from the dielectric scaffold rather than from the perovskite itself. The porous material is usually infiltrated by a charge transporting material such as a hole conductor, a liquid electrolyte, or an electron conductor. The invention further provides the use of the porous material as a semiconductor in an optoelectronic device. Further provided is the use of the porous material as a photosensitizing, semiconducting material in an optoelectronic device. The invention additionally provides the use of a layer comprising the porous material as a photoactive layer in an optoelectronic device. Further provided is a photoactive layer for an optoelectronic device, which photoactive layer comprises the porous material.

Provided is a solar cell comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, a light-absorbing layer located between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an electron transport layer located between the first electrode and the light-absorbing layer. At least one electrode selected from the group consisting of the first electrode and the second electrode has light-transmissive property. The light-absorbing layer contains a perovskite compound represented by a chemical formula ASnX.sub.3 (where A is a monovalent cation and X is a halogen anion). The electron transport layer contains an electron transport material including Ti and Zn. A difference between energy levels of lower ends of conduction bands of the electron transport material and the perovskite compound is less than 0.42 eV.

The invention provides an all-day solar cell system that is capable of simultaneously generating and storing electricity, which allows efficient photocharge during the day and discharge at night.

Disclosed herein are precursor compounds, composite electrodes comprising the same, and methods of making and use thereof.