Optimization of dye sensitized solar cells by changing morphology of TiO2 nanoparticle photo-anode layer

Abstract

Over the years, dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have proved to provide a less expensive alternative to its predecessors, mainly due to its simple and low cost of fabrication. In 1991, the Grätzel group reported that by using a TiO2 nano-crystalline anode, the efficiency of the DSSC can be greatly improved.

As the transport of electrons occurs on the TiO2 film, the morphology of this film is critical in order to obtain high cell performance. This study aims to explore the relationship between the morphology of the TiO2 thin film and the final properties of the DSSC. In this study, the ratio of the amount of TiO2 powder to ethyl cellulose used is varied in order to change the morphology of the thin film and the changes in its properties are investigated. An experiment was also done to observe the effects of increasing the amount of α-terpineol in the paste.

The different pastes were synthesized, then tested and evaluated in this study. The important properties such as the surface morphology, surface area, dye loading and power conversion efficiency were examined by using appropriate experimental equipment and methods.

Based on the experimental results obtained from the study, it was found that there was an optimal ratio of TiO2 powder to ethyl cellulose that obtained the best results in the properties mentioned above. A conclusion and some recommendations for future research and development on DSSCs were made.