Effect of TiO2Coating Thickness on Photovoltaic Performance of Dye-sensitized Solar Cells Prepared by Screen-printing Using TiO2Powders

Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were synthesized using a 0.25 cm 2 area of a TiO 2 nanoparticle layer as the electrode and platinum (Pt) as the counter electrode. The TiO 2 nanoparticle layers (12 to 22 μm) were screen-printed on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass. Glancing angle X-ray diffraction results indicated that the TiO 2 layer is composed of pure anatase with no traces of rutile TiO 2 . The Pt counter electrode and the ruthenium dye anchored TiO 2 electrode were then assembled. The best photovoltaic performance of DSSC, which consists of a 18 μm thick TiO 2 nanoparticle layer, was observed at a short circuit current density (Jsc) of 14.68 mA·cm -2 , an open circuit voltage (V oc ) of 0.72V, a fill factor (FF) of 63.0%, and an energy conversion efficiency (η) of 6.65%. It can be concluded that the electrode thickness is attributed to the energy conversion efficiency of DSSCs.