Monolithic Quasi-Solid-State Dye Sensitized Solar Cells Prepared Entirely by Printing Processes

Abstract

A complete printing process was developed to fabricate the quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells with monolithic structures (m-QS-DSSCs). First, a structure of m-DSSCs was constructed by sequentially printing TiO 2 layers (main and scattering), a ZrO 2 insulating layer, and a carbon counter electrode (CE) onto an FTO substrate (FTO/TiO 2 /ZrO 2 /carbon CE). Then, a quasi-solid-state printable electrolyte (QS-PE), prepared using polyethylene oxide/ polymethyl methacrylate, was printed directly on top of the porous carbon counter electrode (CE), enabling the m-QS-DSSCs to be prepared entirely by printing processes. In this study, the porous structures and characteristics of the ZrO 2 and carbon layers were optimized by controlling the film thicknesses and heat treatment conditions; furthermore, the Pt layer was coated to improve the catalytic activity of carbon CEs. The results revealed that an appropriate porous structure of carbon and ZrO 2 films could be obtained by heating the films from 200 to 500 °C. Through these porous layers, the QS-PE can penetrate well into the photoelectrodes, increasing the charge transport in the cells and at the electrode/electrolyte interfaces; therefore, the m-QS-DSSCs can achieve an efficiency of 6.79% under 1 sun illumination. Furthermore, the structures can also be utilized to fabricate liquid cells for application in a dim light environment. The m-QS-DSSCs remained stable during a longterm stability test at room temperature.

High-Performance Carbon Black-Based Counter Electrodes for Copper (I)/(II)-Mediated Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

“…After optimizing the electrolyte components, CB CEs were prepared and utilized to fabricate the copper DSSCs. The charge transfer resistance at the CE/electrolyte interface is usually affected by uneven distribution and too low or too high concentrations of CB . To prepare the highly efficient CEs for DSSCs, the optimal concentration of the CB was required.…”

“…Next, the CB/EC/FTO was subjected to a heat treatment process at high temperature so that the EC was completely removed and a thin layer of CB was obtained on the FTO surface. The concentration of CB was controlled based on the number of times CB layers were coated on the FTO surface …”

“…Therefore, 1–4 CB layers were spin-coated onto the FTO surface and then the PEDOT layer was electrochemically deposited on the CB surface. Initially, following various reports, − the CC method in which a CC value of 3.2 mA was first applied for 10 s to deposit the PEDOT layer. Hereafter, CEs with 1 CB and 2 CB layers will be referred to as 1 CB CEs and 2 CB CEs, respectively.…”

Facile Synthesis of a Multifunctional SnO2 Nanoparticles/Nanosheets Composite for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

“…Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) have attracted tremendous interest over the past decade and have shown significant promise for practical photovoltaic applications owing to their low cost and effective photovoltaic performance. − Since the first study on mesoporous titania-based photoanode films was published in 1991, numerous studies on DSCs have been conducted. To date, efficiencies of more than 12% have been achieved by using a mesoporous film of sintered TiO 2 nanoparticles as the photoanode. , In addition to the frequently used TiO 2 , alternative semiconductors with broad band gaps, such as SnO 2 , , ZnO, , Nb 2 O 5 , , and Zn 2 SnO 4 , , are also being investigated.…”