Abstract
In this study, laser sintering of TiO2 nanoparticle films on plastic substrates was conducted in order to improve the incident photon-to-electron conversion efficiency (IPCE) of flexible dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Lasers with different wavelengths (355 nm and 1064 nm) were used to process the TiO2 electrodes. With an optimized processing parameter combination, the 1064 nm laser can sinter 13 μm thick TiO2 films uniformly, but the uniform sintering cannot be achieved by the 355nm ultraviolet (UV) laser, since the films possess a high absorption ratio at 355 nm. The experimental results demonstrate that the near-infrared laser sintering can enhance the electrical connection between TiO2 nanoparticles without destroying the flexible plastic substrate, reduce the transmission impedance of electrons and increase the absorption rate of incident light. Furthermore, the charge collection efficiency, fill factor, and short-circuit current have all been improved to some extent, and the solar conversion efficiency increased from 4.6% to 5.7%, with an efficiency enhancement reaching 23.9%.
Highlights
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) have become one of the substitutes for traditional silicon solar cells owing to the simple fabrication process and low fabrication cost [1,2,3]
To improve the incident photon-to-electron conversion efficiency (IPCE) of flexible dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), we reported a simple approach to sinter TiO2 nanoparticle electrodes using a laser processing technique, which is a method of easy operation and fast fracture as well as industrialization continuous production
Flexible DSCs with TiO2 nanoparticle films coated on plastic substrates are successfully improved by laser sintering
Summary
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) have become one of the substitutes for traditional silicon solar cells owing to the simple fabrication process and low fabrication cost [1,2,3]. To sinter the TiO2 nanoparticles films on plastic substrates, Ming et al proposed to use selective laser sintering to improve the efficient of flexible DSCs [31], with a sintering efficiency of 0.02 m2 /h, an ICPE of 5.6%. The key laser parameters determining the sintering effect were not systematically investigated, and the potential laser sintering mechanism was not demonstrated These contents are of great significance for large-scale industrial production. To improve the IPCE of flexible DSCs, we reported a simple approach to sinter TiO2 nanoparticle electrodes using a laser processing technique, which is a method of easy operation and fast fracture as well as industrialization continuous production. ITO: indium tin oxide; PEN: polyethylene of the laser sintering, and (d) spectral absorption of different films.
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