Electron transportation and optical properties of micro-structure TiO<sub>2</sub> films: applied in dye-sensitized solar cells

doi:10.1007/s12200-011-0202-5

Front Optoelec Chin

2011, Vol. 4

Issue (1) : 72-79 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12200-011-0202-5

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Electron transportation and optical properties of micro-structure TiO₂ films: applied in dye-sensitized solar cells

Shuangying XU, Linhua HU, Jiang SHENG, Dongxing KOU, Huajun TIAN, Songyuan DAI(

)

Key Laboratory of Novel Thin Film Solar Cells, Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China

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Abstract

Micro-structure of TiO₂ films in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) can affect light absorption and electron transportation that impact on the characteristics of current-voltage (J-V). In this paper, films with different surface area, pore size and porosity were obtained by adding different ratio of ethyl cellulose (Ec-S) to pastes, and a photo-electric conversion efficiency (η) of 7.55% with a short-circuit current density (J_sc) of 16.81 mA·cm^-2 was obtained when the ratio of Ec-S was 10∶5. BET results showed that film with this optimum ratio had the most suitable pore size and surface area for good properties of photovoltaic, which had a low reflectivity and high transmission rate, and the efficiency of light utilization was improved. Moreover, measurements by intensity-modulated photocurrent spectroscopy (IMPS) and intensity-modulated photovoltage spectroscopy (IMVS) implied that the electron transport time (τ_d) increased as the content of Ec-S increased, which was related to the larger surface area. Results of steady-state cyclic voltammetry indicated that diffusion-limited current density (J_lim) of I3- in TiO₂ film increased with its porosity, which revealed that the transportation of redox mediators in the electrolyte was speeded up.

Keywords micro-structure porosity optical property electron transport dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC)

Corresponding Author(s): DAI Songyuan,Email:sydai@ipp.ac.cn

Issue Date: 05 March 2011

Cite this article:

Shuangying XU,Songyuan DAI,Jiang SHENG, et al. Electron transportation and optical properties of micro-structure TiO₂ films: applied in dye-sensitized solar cells[J]. Front Optoelec Chin, 2011, 4(1): 72-79.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/foe/EN/10.1007/s12200-011-0202-5
https://academic.hep.com.cn/foe/EN/Y2011/V4/I1/72

Fig.1 XRD spectra of nanocrystalline TiO powders

Tab.1 Physical properties of TiO films

Fig.2 - curves of DSSC with different TiO films under one sun illumination

Fig.3 Steady-state cyclic voltammograms of TiO films with different porosities

Fig.4 Steady-state cyclic voltammograms of TiO films with same porosity

Fig.5 Diffuse reflectance curves of TiO films with different micro-structures without scattering layers

Fig.6 Transmittance curves of TiO films with different micro-structures without scattering layers

Fig.7 Diffuse reflectance curves of TiO films with different micro-structures with scattering layers

Fig.8 Transmittance curves of TiO films with different micro-structures with scattering layers

Tab.2 Photovoltaic performances of DSSC with and without scattering layers

Fig.9 Typical intensity modulated photocurrent spectrum

Fig.10 Influence of TiO films with different micro-structures on electron transport time

Fig.11 Influence of TiO films with different micro-structures on electron lifetime

Fig.12 IPCE spectra of DSSC with TiO films having different micro-structure

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