Dye-sensitized Solar Cells Based on Double-layer Composite Film with Enhanced Photovoltaic Performance

doi:10.15541/jim20160703

Abstract

Abstract:

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated using TiO₂ nanorod arrays as underlayer and hybrid nanosheets-microspheres as overlayer, where 1 dimensional TiO₂ nanorod arrays, 2 dimensional TiO₂ nanosheets, and 3 dimensional TiO₂ microspheres were prepared by hydrothermal method. Nanosheets/microspheres hybrid structures with different weight ratios were fabricated in order to study the structural effect of photoanodes on the solar cell performance. The samples were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope, N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra, photoluminescence (PL) spectra, and electrochemical impedance spectroscope. The results showed that both optical and electrical properties of photoanodes and photovoltaic performances of DSSCs were obviously influenced by the weight ratios of nanosheets/microspheres. It was found that the electrode made from 50wt% nanosheets had the largest dye-loading, highest light absorption, smallest inherent resistance, and lowest PL intensity, comparing with those made from other weight ratios of nanosheets. The performances of DSSCs made from 25wt%, 50wt%, 75wt%, and 100wt% nanosheets double-layered electrodes were studied in detail, with corresponding efficiencies of 1.46%, 1.71%, 1.26%, and 1.13%. This can be ascribed to that the cell made from 50wt% nanosheets has strong light absorption, reduced carrier recombination rate, and enhanced electrons transport.

Key words: hydrothermal method, TiO₂, double-layer films, dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC)

CLC Number:

O643

RAN Hui-Li, HUANG Hao, MA Meng-Jun, ZHAI Jin-Sheng, FAN Jia-Jie. Dye-sensitized Solar Cells Based on Double-layer Composite Film with Enhanced Photovoltaic Performance[J]. Journal of Inorganic Materials, 2017, 32(10): 1049-1054.

Figures/Tables 8

Fig. 1 SEM images of TiO2 nanorod arrays (a), nanosheets (b) and microspheres(c), and N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms curves of the nanosheets and microspheres NS and 3D (d)

Fig. 2 XRD patterns of the anatase TiO2, TiO2 nanosheets, TiO2 microspheres powders and TiO2 nanorods annealed at 450℃

Fig. 3 XRD patterns of the double-layer TiO2 films annealed at 450℃

Fig. 4 UV-Vis absorption spectra of the double-layer TiO2 photoanode films before and after dye adsorption

Fig. 5 PL spectra of the double-layer TiO2 photoanode films

Fig. 6 EIS curves of the double-layer TiO2 photoanode films

Fig. 7 Comparison of the I-V characteristics of DSSCs made from double-layer TiO2 photoanode films

Table 1 Comparison of the I-V characteristics of DSSCs made from double-layer TiO2 photoanode films

Sample	I_sc /(mA•cm^-2)	V_oc/V	FF/%	η/%	Dye adsorbed/ (×10^-7, mol·cm^-2)
25 NS	3.08	0.51	73	1.46	1.56
50 NS	4.89	0.61	57	1.71	2.58
75 NS	3.57	0.64	55	1.26	2.33
100 NS	7.06	0.54	30	1.13	2.38

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