Array of solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells with micropatterned TiO2 nanoparticles for a high-voltage power source

Abstract

We demonstrate an array of solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (SS-DSSCs) for a high-voltage power source based on micropatterned titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TNPs) as photoanodes connected in series. The underlying concept of patterning the TNP of a few micrometers thick lies on the combination of the lift-off process of transfer-printed patterns of a sacrificial layer and the soft-cure treatment of the TNP for fixation. This sacrificial layer approach allows for high pattern fidelity and stability, and it enables to construct stable, micrometer-thick, and contamination-free TNP patterns for developing the SS-DSSC array for miniature high-voltage applications. The array of 20 SS-DSSCs integrated in series is found to show a voltage output of around 7 V.

TiO2 thin film patterns prepared by chemical vapor deposition and atomic layer deposition using an atmospheric pressure microplasma printer

“…Many areas ranging from semiconductor to biomedical applications require fabrication of patterned microstructure and nanostructures . Besides applications which require nanoscale patterns, a broad range of devices such as thin film transistors (TFTs), solar cells, sensors, and microfluidic channels demand micron‐scale patterns in their structures. The fabrication of some of these devices relies on costly patterning methods, such as (photo‐)lithography.…”

Systematic Investigation of Subtractive Contact Patterning for High-Resolution Organic Electronic Devices

“…In particular, for virtual reality/augmented reality displays, high-resolution patterns (several micrometers) are required for OLEDs. , For patterning of OLEDs, a fine metal mask (FMM) is primarily used, but FMM suffers from the difficulty of creating high-resolution patterns of several micrometers because of the sagging phenomenon of shadow masks, which results in shadowed areas among the pixels. Furthermore, various patterning methods such as orthogonal lithography, , sacrificial layer-assisted lift-off patterning, , and continuous microcontact printing have been proposed. These approaches allow organic semiconductors to be repeatedly exposed to organic solvent or ultraviolet light, causing chemical damage or requiring repeated patterning processes that limit the practical application of these patterning methods.…”

Improvement in Energy Conversion Efficiency by Modification of Photon Distribution within the Photoanode of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

“…Thus, much effort has been devoted to achieving a more efficient photon distribution, in terms of energy conversion. These efforts include inserting a scattering layer on or within the photoanode, introducing photonic crystal structures, and inducing patterns. − …”