Effect of process parameters on the efficiency of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

The impact of process parameters on the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) was studied in order to improve its performance. TiO2 working electrodes were prepared on FTO glass for various TiO2 mixing time. Also these electrodes were sintered at four different temperatures (400, 450, 500, and 550 degrees C) for one hour in ambient atmosphere. Platinum-sputtered counter electrodes were prepared at different light transmittance (70, 50, 30, and 0 %). Microstructural charecterization of these electrodes were studied by X-ray diffiaction method (XRD) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). I-V characteristics of DSSCs made up of different working and counter electrodes were studied using solar simulator. Maximum efficiency (open circuit voltage (V-oc) similar to 0.68 V and short-circuit current density (J(sc)) similar to 12.3 mA/cm(2)) was observed for DSSC consisting of TiO2 working electrode (12 h mixing time, 500 degrees C sintering temperature) and 0 % transmittance Pt counter electrode. These results indicate that enhancement possibility of overall performance in DSSC was obtained by controlling process parameter, especially TiO2 mixing time, sintering temperature and counter electrode transmittance.