Electrophoretic deposition of TiO2 film on titanium foil for a flexible dye-sensitized solar cell
Journal
Electrochimica Acta
Journal Volume
56
Journal Issue
23
Pages
7991-7998
Date Issued
2011
Author(s)
Abstract
Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method is employed to obtain mesoporous TiO2 film on a titanium (Ti) foil; the film is then mechanically compressed and sintered at 350 °C before being subjected to dyeing. A comprehensive study was made on the mechanistic aspects of the EPD process. The dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) using the thus formed TiO2 film rendered a power conversion efficiency (Eff.) of 6.5%. Effects of various compression pressures on the photovoltaic parameters and on other characteristic parameters of the pertinent DSSCs are studied. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is applied for the first time, using a novel equivalent model, to study the impedance behavior of the DSSC with this type of TiO 2 film. We also obtain characteristic parameters of the TiO 2 photoanode by using EIS. The coordination number of the TiO 2 film, and the ratio of charge transfer resistances of electron recombination and electron transport are also obtained and analyzed. Moreover, we employ a multilayer approach and increase the film thickness to prepare TiO2 films with the same coordination number and porosity; DSSCs using such TiO2 films obtained from P90 and P25 rendered efficiencies of 6.5% and 5.24%, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs are obtained to characterize the TiO2 films formed by the EPD technique and laser-induced transient technique is used to estimate the electron lifetime in the TiO2 films. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
SDGs
Other Subjects
Compression methods; Dye-sensitized solar cells; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS); Electrophoretic deposition (EPD); Ti foil; Behavioral research; Charge transfer; Conversion efficiency; Deposition; Electrochemical corrosion; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; Electrons; Electrophoresis; Ion exchange; Multilayer films; Photoelectrochemical cells; Photovoltaic effects; Scanning electron microscopy; Sintering; Titanium; Titanium dioxide; Solar cells
Type
conference paper