Efficient Performance of Electrostatic Spray-Deposited TiO2 Blocking Layers in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells after Swift Heavy Ion Beam Irradiation

Nanoscale Research Letters

关键词: Titanium oxide;    Interfaces;    Impedance spectroscopy;    Dye-sensitized solar cells;    Ion beam irradiation;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract

A compact TiO₂ layer (~1.1 μm) prepared by electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) and swift heavy ion beam (SHI) irradiation using oxygen ions onto a fluorinated tin oxide (FTO) conducting substrate showed enhancement of photovoltaic performance in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The short circuit current density (J_sc = 12.2 mA cm^-2) of DSSCs was found to increase significantly when an ESD technique was applied for fabrication of the TiO₂ blocking layer, compared to a conventional spin-coated layer (J_sc = 8.9 mA cm^-2). When SHI irradiation of oxygen ions of fluence 1 × 10¹³ ions/cm² was carried out on the ESD TiO₂, it was found that the energy conversion efficiency improved mainly due to the increase in open circuit voltage of DSSCs. This increased energy conversion efficiency seems to be associated with improved electronic energy transfer by increasing the densification of the blocking layer and improving the adhesion between the blocking layer and the FTO substrate. The adhesion results from instantaneous local melting of the TiO₂ particles. An increase in the electron transport from the blocking layer may also retard the electron recombination process due to the oxidized species present in the electrolyte. These findings from novel treatments using ESD and SHI irradiation techniques may provide a new tool to improve the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs.

【 授权许可】

Unknown