Abstract
A dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) has been considered as a strong alternative to conventional photovoltaic devices based on semiconductors such as silicon or compound semiconductors. The barrier layer functioned by the use of an electrode consisting of two different conduction band potentials is very effective in increasing the photovoltaic performance of a DSC. Especially, zinc oxide (ZnO) is very effective as a barrier layer because it has a higher energy level of the conduction band than TiO2and good contact with TiO 2 and dye molecules. We tried to fabricate the ZnO barrier layer using zinc acetate aqueous solution by the dip-coating method, although ZnO film is usually fabricated by chemical vapor deposition or sputter deposition. The experimental parameters were optimized to achieve an effective ZnO barrier layer. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction pattern were measured to analyze the ZnO layer. The photovoltaic performance of a completed DSC with an optimized ZnO barrier layer was measured and compared with that of a conventional DSC. Consequently, a DSC with a ZnO barrier layer had an increased VOC up to 0.85 V and an enhanced efficiency of 4.05%.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 014029 |
Journal | Physica Scripta T |
Volume | T139 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2010 |
Event | 3rd International Symposium on Functional Materials 2009, ISFM 2009 - Jinju, Korea, Republic of Duration: Jun 15 2009 → Jun 18 2009 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
- Mathematical Physics
- Condensed Matter Physics