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Development of dye-sensitized solar cells based on visible-light-responsive TiO2 thin films with a unique columnar structure

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Abstract

A visible-light-responsive TiO2 thin film (Vis-TiO2), possessing a unique columnar structure oriented perpendicular to the substrate, has been prepared by using a radio-frequency magnetron sputtering deposition method. The unique TiO2 thin film was used as a key component of N719 dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The rough morphology caused by the columnar structure leads to enhanced photovoltaic performances of these DSSCs as a consequence of increased amounts of adsorbed dyes and facilitated diffusion of the electrolyte into Vis-TiO2 film. Additionally, photovoltaic performances of the DSSCs were found to depend strongly on the thickness of the Vis-TiO2 film, which can be readily controlled by adjusting the sputtering time conducted for deposition. Consequently, a solar-to-electric energy conversion efficiency of 2.6 % under AM 1.5 illumination was observed for an optimally performing DSSC that has a Vis-TiO2 film thickness of 6.9 μm, prepared by employing a sputtering time of 700 min.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Prefecture University, 1-1 Gakuen-cho, Naka-ku, Sakai, Osaka, 599-8531, Japan

    Takashi Toyao, Masayuki Minakata, Kazushi Iyatani, Afshin Ebrahimi, Yu Horiuchi, Masaya Matsuoka & Masakazu Anpo

  2. Taiwan Textile Research Institute (TTRI), New Taipei City, 23674, Taiwan, ROC

    Po-Chou Chen & Chung-Bo Tsai

Authors
  1. Takashi Toyao
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  2. Masayuki Minakata
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  3. Kazushi Iyatani
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  4. Afshin Ebrahimi
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  5. Po-Chou Chen
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  6. Chung-Bo Tsai
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  7. Yu Horiuchi
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  8. Masaya Matsuoka
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  9. Masakazu Anpo
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Yu Horiuchi or Masaya Matsuoka.

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Toyao, T., Minakata, M., Iyatani, K. et al. Development of dye-sensitized solar cells based on visible-light-responsive TiO2 thin films with a unique columnar structure. Res Chem Intermed 39, 415–424 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-012-0659-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-012-0659-x

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