Numerical model for the prediction of interfacial effect of ZnO/TCO on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Abstract. The dye-sensitized nanocrystalline solar cell (DSC) offers potential opportunities in the area of renewable energy sources mainly due to its simple fabrication procedure and use of low cost materials. A theoretical model based on the thermionic emission theory was developed to determine the interfacial effect of ZnO/TCO on the performance of DSC. It was found that under conditions where thermionic emission is valid, photoelectric outputs are affected by temperature and Schottky barrier height (ϕ b ). The model can be used to facilitate better selection of suitable TCO material.