Influence of TiO2 Electrode Properties on Performance of Dye- Sensitized Solar Cells

Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) are working based on adsorbtion of photon by dye and transfer it to TiO2 electrodes. The control of microstructure and defects of TiO2 electrodes are vital for fabrication of high efficiency dye sensitized solar cells. These properties strongly related to TiO2 electrode fabrication method and its parameters. In this research the effect of different solvent, TiCl4 treatment and carbon nanotubes on microstructure and quality of nanocrystalline TiO2 electrodes were investigated. Nanocrystalline TiO2 thin films with different additives have been deposited on FTO coated glass substrates by tape casting method, then these electrodes were dried at 130°C and sintered. After that, these electrodes were immersed into a dye solution. Then cell were assembled by dye- covered TiO2 electrode, platinum coated FTO and Iodine electrolyte. The samples were characterized by FESEM, OM and the cell performance was measured by solar light simulator at an intensity of 1000 W.m-2.Best result was achieved by pre and post treatment of TiO2 electrodes by acetyl acetone and using carbon nanotube additive.