The effects of periodic textured substrate to control diffusion angle on the conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

We suggested improving the conversion efficiency of Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) by the micro-nano periodic textures to control the diffusion angle of the incident light for certain absorbed wavelengths of the used dye. A periodic texture (Prd-Tx) was designed to enhance the light path of the wavelength of DSSCs’ dye absorption with a wide process window by the optical simulation (Pitch: 1400 nm, Pillar diameter: 460 – 560 nm, Pillar height: more than 500 nm). The Prd-Tx was fabricated by the photolithography processes and nanoimprinting (Pitch: 1400 nm, Pillar diameter: 500 nm, Pillar height: 1000 nm). The Prd-Tx increased the DSSCs’ conversion efficiency (η of 3.13%), surpassing our previous best result (refabricated W-Tx, η of 3.08%). It was considered that the ohmic loss was suppressed owing to the Prd-Tx enhanced electrical conductivity at the interface between the transparent electrode, F-doped Tin oxide (FTO) and TiO2.