A system approach to molecular solar cells

Impact of Size Distribution of Nanoparticles in TiO2 Paste for its Application in Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

“…Films with larger particles have larger contact points between sintered colloidal particles or at the interface between the particles and the underlying substrate, allowing for easier dye access and better dye assembly whereas smaller particles have a larger surface area and have a greater number of contact points between sintered colloidal particles or at the interface between the particles and the underlying substrate, allowing for greater dye adsorption [1]. However, films consisting of larger particles have a smaller surface area for dye adsorption, which ultimately reduces the amount of light absorbed resulting in low photocurrent from the cell and the films consisting of smaller particles exhibit a larger number of grain boundaries to be overcome by the electrons injected by excited dye molecules, which results in a higher probability of electron trapping [2][3][4][5]. The comparative results of the solar cell electrodes consisting of TiO 2 nanoparticle film with varying particle sizes are presented elsewhere [1].…”

Titania Particle Size Effect on the Overall Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

“…Films consisting of smaller particles exhibit a larger number of grain boundaries where electrons need to pass through, which results in a higher probability of electron trapping. [15][16][17][18] In this report, solar cell electrodes consisting of TiO 2 nanoparticle film with varying particle sizes were studied and compared to determine whether the electron-transport properties and the overall light conversion efficiency are influenced by the differences in particle size. The particle size of TiO 2 was varied from ∼9 nm to ∼23 nm in diameter by way of hydrothermal crystallization 19,20 at varying temperatures for 60 min.…”

Ceramic Nano-particle/Substrate Interface Bonding Formation Derived from Dynamic Mechanical Force at Room Temperature: HRTEM Examination

“…After evaporation of the ethanol, the as-received screen-printed TiO 2 coating was put between two planar steel press plates, and a pressure of 150 MPa (Ref [12][13][14][15][16] was applied using a hydraulic press (769YP-24B, Longtuo, Shanghai, China).…”

“…In this case, the bonding at the particle/particle interfaces and coating/substrate interfaces needs to be enhanced by other methods, such as mechanical pressing and dynamic pressure as in room temperature cold spraying . Investigations have shown that the DSC efficiencies can be significantly increased by increasing pressure during mechanical pressing (Ref [12][13][14][15][16]) and increasing particle velocity and thereby impact pressure during room temperature cold spraying ). An increased electron transport coefficient can be observed after high pressure pressing (Ref 14,20), which is attributed to the improved particle/particle connection .…”