Sponge-like TiO2 layers for dye-sensitized solar cells

A titanium oxide layer used in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) has to meet two opponent properties to enable high conversion efficiency: a large surface area (for high dye loading) and good connection between TiO 2 grains (for efficient extraction of electrons toward the front contact). In order...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of sol-gel science and technology 2010-03, Vol.53 (3), p.647-654
Main Authors: Hočevar, Mateja, Berginc, Marko, Topič, Marko, Krašovec, Urša Opara
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ceramics
Chemistry
Chemistry and Materials Science
Citric acid
Colloidal gels. Colloidal sols
Colloidal state and disperse state
Composites
Dye-sensitized solar cells
Dyes
Electrolytic cells
Energy conversion efficiency
Ethylene glycol
Exact sciences and technology
General and physical chemistry
Glass
Inorganic Chemistry
Ionic liquids
Materials Science
Morphology
Nanotechnology
Natural Materials
Optical and Electronic Materials
Original Paper
Pastes
Photovoltaic cells
Sintering (powder metallurgy)
Sol gel process
Sol-gel processes
Solar cells
Titanium dioxide
Titanium oxides
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Summary:A titanium oxide layer used in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) has to meet two opponent properties to enable high conversion efficiency: a large surface area (for high dye loading) and good connection between TiO 2 grains (for efficient extraction of electrons toward the front contact). In order to meet a trade-off between these criteria a preparation method for TiO 2 paste formulation based on Pechini sol–gel method and commercial nanocrystalline TiO 2 powder has been developed. A series of TiO 2 pastes with different molar ratios between titanium isopropoxide, citric acid and ethylene glycol (1: X :4 X ) in the paste have been examined. The structure and morphology as well as cross-cut tests of deposited and sintered TiO 2 layers have been analyzed. Results reveal that the paste with X  = 8 exhibits the best properties, resulting in an overall conversion efficiency of DSSC under standard test conditions (100 mW/cm 2 , 25 °C, AM 1.5G) up to 6.6% for ionic liquid based electrolyte.
ISSN:0928-0707
1573-4846
DOI:10.1007/s10971-009-2144-6