An Optical and Electrical Modeling of Dye Sensitized Solar Cell: Influence of the Thickness of the Photoactive Layer

Abstract

Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) are used for photovoltaic applications. The paper presents a methodology for optical and electrical modeling of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In order to take into account the scattering process, the optical model is based on the determination of the effective permittivity of the mixture and the scattering coefficient using Mie and Bruggeman theories, considering spherical particles. Then, from the radiative transfer equation, the optical generation rate of cell is deduced. Coupling the output of the optical model (the dye generation rate) to an electrical model for charge generation, transport, and first-order (linear) recombination, allows determination of current density and maximum power output. Due to our model, the dependence effects of the thickness of the photoactive layer upon the optical generation rate, the short circuit photocurrent density and the maximum power output are evidenced. Moreover, we see that when the thickness of the photoactive layer increases the optical generation rate increases. While, the short circuit current density and the maximum power output increase until d =10 µm then remain constant. Thereby, it was found that 10 µm of thickness is enough for the best I-V characteristics. Our results agree with those found in the literature.