Abstract
The development of high efficiency dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) has received tremendous attention. Many researchers have introduced new materials for use in DSSCs to achieve high efficiency. In this study, the change in power conversion efficiency (PCE) of DSSCs was investigated by introducing two types of materials—Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) and a scattering layer. A DSSC fabricated without neither Au NPs nor a scattering layer achieved a PCE of 5.85%. The PCE of a DSSC based on freestanding TiO2 nanotube arrays (f-TNTAs) with Au NPs was 6.50% due to better electron generation because the plasmonic absorption band of Au NPs is 530 nm, which matches the dye absorbance. Thus, more electrons were generated at 530 nm, which affected the PCE of the DSSC. The PCE of DSSCs based on f-TNTAs with a scattering layer was 6.61% due to better light harvesting by scattering. The scattering layer reflects all wavelengths of light that improve the light harvesting in the active layer in DSSCs. Finally, the PCE of DSSCs based on the f-TNTAs with Au NPs and a scattering layer was 7.12% due to the synergy of better electron generation and light harvesting by plasmonics and scattering. The application of Au NPs and a scattering layer is a promising research area for DSSCs as they can increase the electron generation and light harvesting ability.
Highlights
Solar cells are energy generating devices that are of interest because of their safe, clean, and eco-friendly features
The 2nd TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNTAs) were removed by H2 O2 solution, which detached the 1st TNTAs from the Ti plate (referred to as freestanding nanotube arraysarrays (f-TNTAs) as shown in Figure 1 (a))
Prepared f-TNTAs were transferred to the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass with TiO2 paste and were attached by an annealing at 500 ◦ C
Summary
Solar cells are energy generating devices that are of interest because of their safe, clean, and eco-friendly features. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are a particular kind of solar cell that has been researched since they were first studied by O’Regan and Grätzel [1]. DSSCs have improved and have many beneficial properties such as low cost, low toxicity, a semi-flexible structure, and light weight [2–4]. They are made using a simple process and work perfectly in low light intensity environments. For all these reasons, DSSCs are promising generation solar cells
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
