Modification of electrodes in nanocrystalline dye-sensitized TiO 2 solar cells

Abstract

Influence of an electrodeposited overlayer and a spin-coated underlayer of TiO 2 electrode on the cell performance was studied. The effect of annealing TiO 2 electrode in O 2 atmosphere was also investigated. XRD analysis made on TiO 2 by the sol–gel method showed a pure anatase phase. Electrodeposited TiO 2 film showed two times larger surface area and O 2 annealed TiO 2 showed three times larger surface area than untreated TiO 2. Electrodeposition of TiO 2 resulted in sub-particles on base TiO 2 and increased the surface area and the short-circuit current ( J sc). For an underlayer, TiCl 4 treatment caused no noticeable changes in current–voltage characteristics. Annealing in O 2 atmosphere did not cause any apparent changes in bonding characteristics judging from XPS measurement. A conversion efficiency up to 5.8% was obtained.