Solid state dye-sensitized solar cell with nanorods

Abstract

The dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on nanocrystalline TiO2 provide a

promising alternative concept to conventional p–n junction photovoltaic devices.

However, liquid-state DSSCs possess the problem of low stability since a volatile

liquid electrolyte is utilized. An effective and valid approach to solve such a problem

is by taking place the volatile liquid electrolyte with solid-state or quasi solid-state

hole material, such as p-type semiconductors. In this paper, SnO2 nanorod arrays were

grown on FTO glass by PECVD and were used as electrode for solid dye-sensitized

solar cell (SDSC). TiO2 nanocrystals with diameter less than 10 nm have been

synthesized by hydrothermal method. Four types of TiO2 pastes have been prepared

from TiO2 nanocrystals synthesized by hydrothermal and commercial P25 TiO2

powders. High porous and crack-free multiple and composite TiO2 thick layers with

high surface area have been deposited by Dr Blade. CuI nanocrystals is utilized for

hole transporting in the SDSC. The performance of SDSCs was evaluated and effects

of fabrication parameters on the properties of the SDCSs were studied. It is found that

the crystal growth inhibitor can suppress the growth of the CuI crystals and thus

enhanced the conversion efficiency of the SDCSs. The SnO2 nanorods provide a

shortcut to the electrons, so SDCSs with SnO2 nanorod electrodes show higher current

density and conversion efficiency