Performance Analysis of Several ZnO-Based Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells With Identical Photoelectrodes, Electrolyte, and Sensitizer

Abstract

In this work, we have tried to understand the variation of experimentally obtained photovoltaic characteristics (open-circuit voltage (VOC), short-circuit current density (JSC), fill factor (FF), and conversion efficiency (η)) for multiple dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) prepared and characterized under identical experimental conditions. Twenty (20) DSSCs are prepared using ZnO photo-anodes, Pt cathodes, I−/I3− electrolyte, N719 sensitizers, and fluorinated tin oxide-based transparent conducting oxide substrates. ZnO is synthesized wet chemically and characterized in terms of its phase, morphology, thermal stability, optical behavior for the preparation of photoanodes. The photovoltaic characteristics are estimated under the exposure of simulated solar light (power of incident light 100 mW cm−2 from air mass 1.5 G). Relative standard deviation values are estimated for each photovoltaic parameter and the trends of deviations are studied for the developed cells. Finally, the charge transfer dynamics of cells having maximum and minimum photoconversion efficiencies are investigated through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.