Flexible transparent conductive oxide-less flat and cylinder dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Fabrication and photovoltaic performances for flexible transparent conductive oxideless (TCO-less) flat and cylinder dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) are reported. The cylinder solar cell consists of a porous silicone tube, a protected stainless steel metal mesh (protected SUS mesh) working as a counter electrode, a gel electrolyte sheet, a dye/porous titania layer fabricated on a protected SUS mesh working as a anode, and a thermally shrinkable plastic tube, from the inside to the outside. The thermally shrinkable tube was used to reduce the gap between a cathode and an anode. In addition, a porous silicone tube was used for injecting electrolytes smoothly into the gel electrolyte layer. 5.08% efficiency (FF: 0.68; Voc: 0.68 V; Jsc: 11.07 mA∕cm 2 ) was observed. A flexible TCO-less flat DSCs with 6.1% efficiency which was improved by narrowing a gap between two electrodes is also reported.

Cylindrical transparent conductive oxide-free dye-sensitized solar cells with treated flat titanium sheet

“…Nevertheless, SUS mesh required its protection with sputtering Ti over it to retard the back electron transfer. Without the Ti protection, electron recombination was much higher leading to poor PCE 23 , 24 . Our group also reported coil-type cylindrical DSSCs (CC-DSSCs) with titanium wire to substitute SUS mesh 25 .…”

“…Without the Ti protection, electron recombination was much higher leading to poor PCE. 23,24 Our group also reported coil-type cylindrical DSSCs (CC-DSSCs) with titanium wire to substitute SUS mesh. 25 Titanium wire is strong, lightweight, and does not react with electrolytes, which makes it a better choice than other metals.…”