Optimization of the dye-sensitized solar cell performance by mechanical compression

Abstract

In this study, the P25 titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticle (NP) thin film was coated on the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass substrate by a doctor blade method. The film then compressed mechanically to be the photoanode of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Various compression pressures on TiO2 NP film were tested to optimize the performance of DSSCs. The mechanical compression reduces TiO2 inter-particle distance improving the electron transport efficiency. The UV–vis spectrophotometer and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were employed to quantify the light-harvesting efficiency and the charge transport impedance at various interfaces in DSSC, respectively. The incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency was also monitored. The results show that when the DSSC fabricated by the TiO2 NP thin film compressed at pressure of 279 kg/cm2, the minimum resistance of 9.38 Ω at dye/TiO2 NP/electrolyte interfaces, the maximum short-circuit photocurrent density of 15.11 mA/cm2, and the photoelectric conversion efficiency of 5.94% were observed. Compared to the DSSC fabricated by the non-compression of TiO2 NP thin film, the overall conversion efficiency is improved over 19.5%. The study proves that under suitable compression pressure the performance of DSSC can be optimized.

Scalable InkJet‐Based Additive Fabrication of Photocatalytic TiO2 Thin Films

“…Both the morphologies and thicknesses of the printed films did not suffer changes and are similar before usage, after 1 cycle and after 10 cycles, while the doctor blade film showed additional cracks, signs of peeling and particle release into solution as previously reported in other performance tests of TiO 2 films manufactured with this method. [27] The XRD data (Figure 9) shows no evidence of changes in the bulk crystal structure of the printed films due to reusage and the patterns have the same indexing as the newly prepared material. Overall, the photocatalytic tests and the structural characterizations prove both a good maintenance of the performance and no observable structural changes in the films after a series of 10 experimental cycles.…”

Fabrication of Polymeric Antireflection Film Manufactured by Anodic Aluminum Oxide Template on Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

“…The sample then was compressed mechanically at a pressure of 279 kg/cm 2 . The post-heat treatment was done by two-step annealing, 150 °C for 90 min and 500 °C for 30 min in air, respectively, to form TiO 2 photoanodes [ 15 , 16 ]. The 150 °C annealing temperature would decompose the residual organic compounds and the 500 °C annealing temperature would assist the interconnection of TiO 2 nanoparticles (NPs), so that the loss of electron transmission lessens.…”

Fabrication of Polymeric Antireflection Film Manufactured by Anodic Aluminum Oxide Template on the Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell

“…The sample then compressed mechanically at pressure of 279 kg/cm 2 . The post heat treatment was done by two-step annealing, 150 °C for 90 min and 500 °C for 30 min in air, respectively to form TiO2 photoanodes [15,16]. The 150 °C annealing temperature would decompose the residual organic compounds and the 500°C annealing temperature would assist the interconnection of TiO2 NPs, so that the loss of electron transmission becomes less.…”