Preparation Mico/Nano Composite Particles and their Applications for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract:

This study investigated the applicability of TiO₂/Au (or TiO₂/Ag) composite particles, which probably have the plasmon resonance effect, on FTO-glass substrate of the working electrode of a DSSC. The dry particle coating technique was utilized to coat the surfaces of TiO₂ particle with nano-sized Au (or Ag) powder particles. A layer of TiO₂/Au (or TiO₂/Ag) composite particles was deposited on the FTO-glass substrate of the working electrode, and it was then sintered in a high-temperature furnace. The working electrode covered with a TiO₂/Au (or TiO₂/Ag) thin film was kept immersed in a solution of N-719 (Ruthenium) dye for 12 h. Finally, the DSSC was assembled, and the short-circuit photocurrent; the open-circuit photovoltage, and the power conversion efficiency η of DSSC were measured using a home-made I-V measurement system. This study also examined the effects of the mass ratio of TiO₂ to Au (or Ag) and the duration of dry coating on the η of the DSSC. If the duration of dry coating is adequate, the η of the DSSC with TiO₂/Au (or TiO₂/Ag) composite particles increased with increase in the percentage of Au (or Ag) in the composite particles. Most importantly, this study shows that the power conversion efficiency η of the DSSC with a film of TiO₂/Au (or TiO₂/Ag) on the working electrode always exceeds that of the conventional DSSC due to presence of the Schottky barrier, which is probably created in the TiO₂/Au (or TiO₂/Ag) composite particle.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 239-242)
• Pages: 202-205
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.239-242.202
• Online since: May 2011
• Authors: Ting Lung Chiang, Chuen Shii Chou, Der Ho Wu, Chin Min Hsiung
• Keywords: Au, Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC), FTO, N719, TiO₂

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