Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Fabricated by Electrospray Coating Using TiO[sub 2] Nanocrystal Dispersion Solution

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) were fabricated by an electrospray coating method using Ti O 2 nanocrystal dispersion (P25) in water (DSC-ESC). They were compared with DSCs prepared by conventional coating methods (DSC-COAT). The former had higher short-circuit current ( J sc ) than the latter. Electron lifetime and electron diffusion coefficient in Ti O 2 layers did not vary largely between the two DSCs. Large differences were not observed between them in terms of the amount of dye molecules adsorbed on Ti O 2 . Differences were observed only for limiting currents ( I 3 − diffusion) through Ti O 2 layers. The limiting current for DSC-ESC was higher than that of DSC-COAT. Considering the previous reports on fractal structures prepared by the ESC method and the fact that needle-like Ti O 2 tends to grow on deposited Ti O 2 needles by using the ESC method, we conclude that ionic paths are formed better in Ti O 2 layers of DSC-ESC than in those of DSC-COAT.