Optimization of ZnO-Coated TiO2 Working Electrode and Application in a Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell

2013 ◽  
Vol 481 ◽  
pp. 117-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuen Shii Chou ◽  
Takaharu Watanabe ◽  
Yan Hao Huang ◽  
Ping Wu
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cell ◽  
Band Gap ◽  
Power Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Power Conversion ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cell ◽  
Electron Recombination ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Orbital Hybridization ◽  
Working Electrode

This study investigates the optimization of a ZnO-coated TiO2 working electrode and the effect of this hybrid electrode on the power conversion efficiency of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). This electrode was fabricated by dipping the TiO2 electrode with the TiCl4 treatment in a solution of zinc acetate dehydrate [Zn (CH3COO)22H2 and ethanol. The effect of the concentration of Zn (CH3COO)22H2O on the band gap of a working electrode and on the power conversion efficiency of a DSSC was also examined. As the concentration of ZnO decreased to 0.002 from 0.004 mol/L, the band gap of the working electrode decreased to 3.08 eV from 3.87 eV, and the power conversion efficiency () of the DSSC increased to 3.8573% from 3.3514%. Interestingly, the of DSSC with a ZnO-coated TiO2 hybrid electrode substantially exceeded that of the conventional DSSC due to TiO2 orbital hybridization and an energy barrier between ZnO and TiO2 that suppressed the electron recombination.

scholarly journals Preparation of a Counter Electrode withP-Type NiO and Its Applications in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuen-Shii Chou ◽  
Chin-Min Hsiung ◽  
Chun-Po Wang ◽  
Ru-Yuan Yang ◽  
Ming-Geng Guo
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cell ◽  
Power Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Counter Electrode ◽  
Power Conversion ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cell ◽  
Ion Sputtering ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Coating Method ◽  
Type Semiconductor

This study investigates the applicability of a counter electrode with aP-type semiconductor oxide (such as NiO) on a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The counter electrode is fabricated by depositing an NiO film on top of a Pt film, which has been deposited on a Fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass using an ion-sputtering coater (or E-beam evaporator), using a simple spin coating method. This study also examines the effect of the average thickness ofTiO2film deposited on a working electrode upon the power conversion efficiency of a DSSC. This study shows that the power conversion efficiency of a DSSC with a Pt(E)/NiO counter electrode (4.28%) substantially exceeds that of a conventional DSSC with a Pt(E) counter electrode (3.16%) on which a Pt film was deposited using an E-beam evaporator. This result is attributed to the fact that the NiO film coated on the Pt(E) counter electrode improves the electrocatalytic activity of the counter electrode.

A Dye Sensitized Solar Cell with ZnO-Coated TiO2 Electrode and Carbon Nanotubes Electrode for High Power Conversion Efficiency

2015 ◽  
Vol 656-657 ◽  
pp. 3-7
Author(s):  
Takaharu Watanabe ◽  
Shun Fukutomi ◽  
Kozo Taguchi
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cell ◽  
Specific Surface ◽  
Power Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Zinc Acetate ◽  
Power Conversion ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cell ◽  
Zinc Acetate Dehydrate ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Negative Effect

This study examines two things about a dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) to improve power conversion efficiency. One is how to make ZnO-coated TiO2 electrode. The other is how to make carbon nanotube (CNT) electrode. First, we considered the process of making the ZnO-coated TiO2 electrode of the DSSC. This ZnO coating of the DSSC is important for the increase of power conversion efficiency. The fabrication method of the ZnO-coated TiO2 electrode was simple dip coating. This method uses the immerse of the zinc acetate dehydrate [Zn (CH3COO2)・2H2O] solution. This method can make the cheap ZnO-coated TiO2 electrode. However, this method has a slightly negative effect, which is filling in holes of the porous TiO2 layer. We tried to improve this negative effect. We changed the concentration of a zinc acetate dehydrate solution from low to high. Also, we changed the immersing time of the zinc acetate dehydrate solution. We did the control of the band gap of ZnO-coated TiO2 electrode of DSSC for increasing power conversion efficiency. Second, we substituted CNT for counter electrodes to improve the performance of DSSC. As a manufacture method of CNT electrode, we used electrophoretic deposition (EPD). After that, we baked this CNT electrode and measured its specific surface area. We tried to improve specific surface area by changing baking temperature.

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