Abstract
In this experimental work, we fabricated a flexible dye-sensitized solar cell with different counter electrodes. An electrophoresis method was served to deposition of TiO2 on the ITO-coated poly(ethylene terephthalate) (ITO–PET) as a flexible substrate. Also, a low-temperature process was used to sintering TiO2 particles. Three different counter electrodes namely Pt, multi-walled carbon nanotube and graphene were utilized in the flexible dye-sensitized solar cell. Cross section scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were used to obtain the TiO2 film Thickness. Also, the surface morphology of the TiO2 and also Pt films were obtained by SEM images. The crystallinity of the prepared films was investigated by X-ray diffraction pattern. The optical properties of the TiO2 film were studied by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The flexible dye-sensitized solar cell was made by TiO2 film deposited on the flexible ITO–PET substrate, different counter electrodes, I3 −/I− electrolyte and surlyn as a sealer. The solar cell performance was investigated by short circuit current density–open circuit voltage curves. It was found that the fabricated flexible dye-sensitized solar cells had a good efficiency compared with rigid solar cells. Also, it was concluded that the solar cell made from Pt as counter electrode showed the best performance that is mainly due to the high catalytic activity of Pt respect to the other counter electrodes.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
B. O’Rcgan, M. Gratzel, A low-cost, high efficiency solar cells based on dye-sensitized colloidal TiO; films. Nature 353, 737 (1991)
M.K. Nazeeruddin, A. Kay, I. Rodicio, R. Humphry-Baker, E. Müller, P. Liska, N. Vlachopoulos, M. Grätzel, Conversion of light to electricity by cis-X2bis (2, 2′-bipyridyl-4, 4′-dicarboxylate) ruthenium (II) charge-transfer sensitizers (X = Cl-, Br-, I-, CN-, and SCN-) on nanocrystalline titanium dioxide electrodes. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 115(14), 6382–6390 (1993)
T.N. Murakami, Y. Kijitori, N. Kawashima, T. Miyasaka, Low temperature preparation of mesoporous TiO2 films for efficient dye-sensitized photoelectrode by chemical vapor deposition combined with UV light irradiation. J. Photochem. Photobiol. A 164(1), 187–191 (2004)
F. Fang, J. Kennedy, E. Manikandan, J. Futter, A. Markwitz, Morphology and characterization of TiO2 nanoparticles synthesized by arc discharge. Chem. Phys. Lett. 521, 86–90 (2012)
K. Kasinathan, J. Kennedy, M. Elayaperumal, M. Henini, M. Malik, Photodegradation of organic pollutants RhB dye using UV simulated sunlight on ceria based TiO2 nanomaterials for antibacterial applications. Sci. Rep. 6, 38064–38075 (2016)
K. Kaviyarasu, D. Premanand, J. Kennedy, E. Manikandan, Synthesis of Mg doped TiO2 nanocrystals prepared by wet-chemical method: optical and microscopic studies. Int. J. Nanosci. 12(05), 1350033 (2013)
G. Hashmi, K. Miettunen, T. Peltola, J. Halme, I. Asghar, K. Aitola, M. Toivola, P. Lund, Review of materials and manufacturing options for large area flexible dye solar cells. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 15(8), 3717–3732 (2011)
H. Lindström, A. Holmberg, E. Magnusson, L. Malmqvist, A. Hagfeldt, A new method to make dye-sensitized nanocrystalline solar cells at room temperature. J. Photochem. Photobiol. A 145(1), 107–112 (2001)
C. Longo, J. Freitas, M.-A. De Paoli, Performance and stability of TiO2/dye solar cells assembled with flexible electrodes and a polymer electrolyte. J. Photochem. Photobiol. A 159(1), 33–39 (2003)
D. Zhang, T. Yoshida, H. Minoura, Low-temperature fabrication of efficient porous titania photoelectrodes by hydrothermal crystallization at the solid/gas interface. Adv. Mater. 15(10), 814–817 (2003)
T. Kado, M. Yamaguchi, Y. Yamada, S. Hayase, Low temperature preparation of nano-porous TiO2 layers for plastic dye sensitized solar cells. Chem. Lett. 32(11), 1056–1057 (2003)
D. Matthews, A. Kay, M. Gratzel, Electrophoretically deposited titanium dioxide thin films for photovoltaic cells. Aust. J. Chem. 47(10), 1869–1877 (1994)
C. Longo, A. Nogueira, M.-A. De Paoli, H. Cachet, Solid-state and flexible dye-sensitized TiO2 solar cells: a study by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. J Phys. Chem. B 106(23), 5925–5930 (2002)
F. Pichot, J.R. Pitts, B.A. Gregg, Low-temperature sintering of TiO2 colloids: application to flexible dye-sensitized solar cells. Langmuir 16(13), 5626–5630 (2000)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sabet, M., Jahangiri, H. Using a low temperature method to fabrication of flexible dye sensitized solar cells with three different counter electrodes. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 29, 778–783 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-017-7972-5
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-017-7972-5