Effect of TiO2 Coating Thickness on Photovoltaic Performance of Dye-sensitized Solar Cells Prepared by Screen-printing Using TiO2 Powders

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were synthesized using a $0.25cm^2$ area of a $TiO_2$ nanoparticle layer as the electrode and platinum (Pt) as the counter electrode. The $TiO_2$ nanoparticle layers (12 to 22 ${\mu}m$) were screen-printed on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass. Glancing angle X-ray diffraction results indicated that the $TiO_2$ layer is composed of pure anatase with no traces of rutile $TiO_2$. The Pt counter electrode and the ruthenium dye anchored $TiO_2$ electrode were then assembled. The best photovoltaic performance of DSSC, which consists of a $18{\mu}m$ thick $TiO_2$ nanoparticle layer, was observed at a short circuit current density ($J_{sc}$) of $14.68mA{\cdot}cm^{-2}$, an open circuit voltage ($V_{oc}$) of 0.72V, a fill factor (FF) of 63.0%, and an energy conversion efficiency (${\eta}$) of 6.65%. It can be concluded that the electrode thickness is attributed to the energy conversion efficiency of DSSCs.