Surface modification of dye-sensitized solid-state solar cells by plasma jet

Surface treatment of dye-sensitized solid-state solar cells (DSSSCs) by atmospheric pressure plasma jet was carried out to improve its characteristics using Ar/O-2 as process gas. It is a dry process and a low energy consumption method for surface modification of DSSSCs due to its generation at atmospheric pressure. Active species and radicals were generated by the atmospheric pressure plasma jet. Because these were flown by the gas, the TiO2 surface was modified. The important parameters of DSSSCs, such as, the short circuit photocurrent densities (J(sc)) and the open circuit photovoltage (V-oc) were measured by the solar cell evaluation system. Surface condition of DSSSCs was analyzed by an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Ultraviolet Visible Absorption Spectroscopy (UV-VIS) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). As a result, solar conversion efficiency of DSSSCs increased by 22.5% after 15min of dry treatment compare with before treatment.