Properties of Working Electrodes with IGZO layers in a Dye Sensitized Solar Cell

Abstract

We prepared a working electrode (WE) coated with 0~50 nm-thick indium gallium zinc oxide(IGZO) by using RF sputtering to improve the energy conversion efficiency (ECE) of a dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were used to analyze the microstructure and composition of the IGZO layer. UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy was used to determine the transparency of the WE with IGZO layers. A solar simulator and a potentiostat were used to confirm the photovoltaic properties of the DSSC with IGZO layer. From the results of the microstructural analysis, we were able to confirm the successful deposition of an amorphous IGZO layer with the expected thickness and composition. From the UV-VIS-NIR analysis, we were able to verify that the transparency decreased when the thickness of IGZO increased, while the transparency was over 90% for all thicknesses. The photovoltaic results show that the ECE became 4.30% with the IGZO layer compared to 3.93% without the IGZO layer. As the results show that electron mobility increased when an IGZO layer was coated on the TiO 2 layer, it is confirmed that the ECE of a DSSC can be enhanced by employing an appropriate thickness of IGZO on the TiO 2 layer.

Rapid Defrost Transparent Thin-Film Heater with Flexibility and Chemical Stability

“…Transparent conducting electrodes (TCEs) have been used widely in various applications such as flexible displays (LCD, LED, and OLED), flexible touch panels, and organic photovoltaics and smart windows. − In recent years, as multifunctional smart windows have progressed rapidly, TCEs have increasingly been studied as electrical contacts in electronic systems as well as heating generators in thin-film heaters. ,,, In particular, high-performance heat-generating solutions are required for buildings and automobiles to remove the ice and frost on exterior-facing windows. Electrodes with low sheet resistance, high transmittance, chemical stability, and mechanical flexibility play an important role in high-performance thin-film heaters as these properties have an important effect on thermal response times, operating voltages, temperature uniformity, and cycling stability. − Indium tin oxide (ITO), with its low resistivity and high transmittance, has been widely studied as a transparent thin-film heater instead of Ag-based semitransparent electrodes which have been commonly used as heat generators. , This is because Ag-based semitransparent electrodes cannot be employed in the front windows of automobiles because of their opaqueness and high power consumption (120 W).…”

The role of the electronic structure and solvent in the dye-sensitized solar cells based on Zn-porphyrins: Theoretical study

“…The dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is a new type of the solar cells with efficient performance for the direct conversion of light into electrical power [2], which h i G -workers [3] and are the proper alternative for the p-n junction photovoltaic devices [4]. It has attracted considerable interest due to their low-cost [5], flexibility [6] and environmentally-friendly properties [7] and facile fabrication process [8].…”