An efficient and low-cost TiO2 compact layer for performance improvement of dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

a b s t r a c tA TiO 2 organic sol was synthesised for the preparation of a compact TiO 2 layer on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass by a dip-coating technique. The resultant thin film was used for the fabrication of dyesensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The compact layer typically has a thickness of ca. 110 nm as indicated by its SEM, and consists of anatase as confirmed by the XRD pattern. Compared with the traditional DSSCs without this compact layer, the solar energy-to-electricity conversion efficiency, short-circuit current and open-circuit potential of the DSSCs with the compact layer were improved by 33.3%, 20.3%, and 10.2%, respectively. This can be attributed to the merits brought by the compact layer. It can effectively improve adherence of TiO 2 to FTO surface, provide a larger TiO 2 /FTO contact area, and reduce the electron recombination by blocking the direct contact between the redox electrolyte and the conductive FTO surface.Crown

Porous Titania Nanosheet/Nanoparticle Hybrids as Photoanodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

“…Counter electrodes were fabricated by spin-coating H2PtCl6 isopropanol solution (5mM) on FTO substrates and heating at 380 °C for 15 min. 44 Then the dye-sensitized working electrode and Pt-counter electrode were assembled into a sandwich-type cell as described in our previous work. 46 The photocurrent density-voltage (J-V) curves were recorded by using an Oriel AM 1.5 solar simulator equipped with an AM 1.5G type filter (Newport, 81094) and a Keithley model 2420 digital source meter.…”

“…110 nm) was firstly prepared by dip-coating TiO2 organic sol 44 on the cleaned FTO surface, which not only have blocking effect but also can improve adherence between the TiO2 layer and FTO substrates. As described in our previous work 45 , TiO2 pastes of various samples including P25, anatase nanoparticle (NP) and layered titania nanohybrids (NHs) were prepared and then deposited on the FTO glass pre-treated with a TiO2 organic sol 44 by the doctor-blade method 45 , and kept in a clean box for at least 15 min before heat treatment to reduce the surface irregularity and mechanical stress of the pastes. The working electrodes were put into a muffle furnace and heated at 450 °C for 30 min.…”

Rational design of SnO2-based electron transport layer in mesoscopic perovskite solar cells: more kinetically favorable than traditional double-layer architecture

“…TiO 2 organic sol for TiO 2 compact layer was prepared according to the reported procedure [28]. Briefly, 68 mL of tetrabutyl titanate and 16.5 mL of diethanolamine were dissolved in 210 mL absolute ethanol, and then the mixture was stirred vigorously for 1 h at room temperature (Solution A).…”

Comparison of Hybrid Blends for Solar Cell Application

“…The barrier layer was prepared according to literature [27] and spin coated (1,000 rpm, 60 s) on commercially available FTO glasses. On top of the active material a PEDOT:PSS layer was spin coated (2,000 rpm, 60 s) (if indicated) and finally gold electrodes with 100 nm thickness were evaporated.…”