Characterization of LPD-TiO2 compact layer in ZnO nano-rods photoelectrode for dye-sensitized solar cell

• Published in: Applied physics. A, Materials science & processing Vol. 123; no. 12; pp. 1 - 8
• Main Authors: Huang, Jung-Jie, Wu, Chih-Kan, Hsu, Chun-Fa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.12.2017; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Applied physics; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Condensed Matter Physics; Dye-sensitized solar cells; Dyes; Electric contacts; Indium tin oxides; Liquid phase deposition; Machines; Manufacturing; Materials science; Nanotechnology; Optical and Electronic Materials; Photovoltaic cells; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Processes; Surfaces and Interfaces; Thin Films; Titanium dioxide; Titanium oxides; Zinc oxide; Zinc oxides
• ISSN: 0947-8396; 1432-0630
• DOI: 10.1007/s00339-017-1347-x

A titanium oxide (TiO 2 ) compact layer was used to enhance the performance of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) by reducing the electrical loss from recombination at the indium tin oxide (ITO)/electrolyte interface and by improving the electrical contact between ITO and the zinc oxide (ZnO) nano-rod photoelectrode. The TiO 2 compact layer was deposited on ITO glass using the liquid phase deposition (LPD) method. DSSCs fabricated with and without the LPD-TiO 2 compact layer were compared. In addition, various thicknesses of the LPD-TiO 2 compact layer were evaluated. The light-to-electricity conversion efficiency of the DSSC increased from 0.43 to 0.75% by incorporating the LPD-TiO 2 compact layer. Experimental results demonstrated that the LPD method is a promising alternative to the conventional TiO 2 compact layer technology for the production of high-performance DSSCs.