Effect of process parameters on the efficiency of dye sensitized solar cells

The impact of process parameters on the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) was studied in order to improve its performance. TiO₂ working electrodes were prepared on FTO glass for various TiO₂ mixing time. Also these electrodes were sintered at four different temperatures (400, 450, 500, and 550°C) for one hour in ambient atmosphere. Platinum-sputtered counter electrodes were prepared at different light transmittance (70, 50, 30, and 0%). Microstructural charecterization of these electrodes were studied by X-ray diffraction method (XRD) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). I–V characteristics of DSSCs made up of different working and counter electrodes were studied using solar simulator. Maximum efficiency (open circuit voltage (V_oc)∼0.68 V and short-circuit current density (J_sc) ∼ 12.3 mA/cm²) was observed for DSSC consisting of TiO₂ working electrode (12h mixing time, 500°C sintering temperature) and 0% transmittance Pt counter electrode. These results indicate that enhancement possibility of overall performance in DSSC was obtained by controlling process parameters, especially TiO₂ mixing time, sintering temperature and counter electrode transmittance.