Preparation of the scattering layer based on SnO2 nanocrystals for dye sensitized solar cell application

Abstract

Abstract In this work, SnO2 paste was prepared based on (0.1 and 0.12 g) of SnO2 nanoparticles. The SnO2 film was deposited using Screen printing and doctor blade techniques, which it employed as scattering layer in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC). The crystal structure, morphology, and thermal stability of the paste were investigated using XRD, FE-SEM, and TGA techniques. The DSSC parameters were achieved to examining the effect of scattering layer on performance of DSSC. The results showed a crystalline structure predominantly composed of rutile SnO2 crystals arranged in a tetragonal pattern, with individual crystallites measuring approximately 100 nanometers in size. SEM images depicted the surface of SnO2 resembling a sponge with fine pores facilitating dye adsorption and electron mobility. Moreover, a decrease in average particle size was observed with increasing dye concentration, with the average grain size of SnO2 particles being below 100 nanometers at lower dye concentrations. TGA measurements indicated a phase transition occurring around 400 °C.