• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.68-75
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• 2011

In this review, we have investigated the effect of $TiO_2$-based blocking layers (t-BLs), deposited on a transparent conductive oxide (TCO)-coated glass substrate, on the photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The t-BL was deposited using spin-coating or sputtering technique, and its thicknesses were varied to study the influence of the thin $TiO_2$ layer in between transparent conducting glass and nanocrystalline $TiO_2$ (nc-$TiO_2$). The DSSC with the t-BL showed the improved adhesion and the suppressed charge recombination at a TCO glass substrate than those without the t-BL, which led to the higher conversion efficiency.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.230-231
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• 2006

In this paper, we examined effects by the binder in manufacturing titanium dioxide film for dye sensitized solar cell. Binder(PEG and PEO) was added the amount of 10-40wt% to commercial $TiO_2$ (P25), Respectively. All of $TiO_2$ film was showed porous structure owing to the addition of binders. But the difference of film's porosity could not be confirmed. The transmittance of $TiO_2$ film was decreased with the increase of binder's amount, generally. In case of 20wt%, however. The transmittance of $TiO_2$ films was showed the highest value.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2007.06a
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• pp.335-338
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• 2007

Cost effectiveness is an important parameter for producing DSSCs as compared to the widely used conventional silicon based solar cells. A fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate coated with a catalytic amount of platinum is used as counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cell. Carbonaceous materials are quite attractive to replace platinum due to their high electronic conductivity, corrosion resistance towards $I_{2}$, good catalytic effect and low cost. In this paper, the unit DSSCs with Pt and CNT as a counter electrode were connected in series-parallel externally, then the current-voltage curves were investigated to find out the connection characteristics of the DSSC with CNT counter electrode. The connection characteristics of the DSSC with CNT counter electrode is superior to that of the DSSC with Pt counter electrode. And a parallel connection of the DSSC with CNT counter electrode has higher efficiency than a series connection of that.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.238-242
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• 2005

The Pt counter electrode of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) plays a role in helping redox reaction of iodine ions in electrolyte, also, transferring electrons into electrolyte. In this case, it is expected that characteristics of Pt electrodes strongly depend on fabrication process and its surface condition. In this study, Pt electrodes were prepared by a electro-deposition and a RF magnetron sputtering. Electrochemical behavior of Pt electrodes was compared using cyclic-voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy. Surface morphology of Pt electrodes was investigated by FE-SEM and AFM. I-V characteristics of DSSC were measured and discussed in association with the surface properties of counter electrode. As a result, electrochemical properties of electro-deposited Pt electrode were superior to that of sputtered Pt electrode. This is likely that enlarged area of surface in electro-deposited Pt electrode in comparison with the case of sputtered Pt electrode playa role in enhancing such electrochemical properties.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.725-728
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• 2016

We investigated the characterizations of carbon films fabricated by dual magnetron sputtering under various film thickness for the electrodes in TCO-less DSSC (dye-sensitized solar cells). Carbon films prepared at various conditions were exhibited smooth and uniform surfaces without defects. Also, the rms surface roughness of carbon films was decreased from 2.25 nm to 1.0 nm with the increase of film thickness. The sheet resistance as the electrical properties are improved from $11.2{\times}10^{-3}$ to $2.28{\times}10^{-3}$ with the increase of film thickness. In the results, the performance of TCO-less DSSC critically depended on the film thickness of working electrodes, indicating the conductivity of carbon films.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.298-303
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• 2013

In this study, the W-interconnected dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) modules composed of a number of rectangular cells connected in series were investigated, where neighboring cells are processed in reverse. The DSSC modules, a module of dimension about 200 mm ${\times}$ 200 mm, were fabricated with different working electrode width ranging from 5 mm to 21 mm. The short-circuit current of the module increased as the working electrode width increased. Whereas, the decrease in the working electrode width resulted in the increase of the conversion energy efficiency, fill factor, and open-circuit voltage, which is explained by the fact that the possibility that electrons are recombined along their path on the transparent conductive oxide substrate decreases. The module with the conversion energy efficiency of 3.59% was obtained with the working electrode width of 5 mm.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.2883-2888
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• 2013

To enhance the power conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), the surface of titanium dioxide ($TiO_2$) photoelectrode was modified by hydroxylation treatment with $NH_4OH$ solution at $70^{\circ}C$ for 6 h. The $NH_4OH$ solutions of various concentrations were used to introduce the hydroxyl groups on $TiO_2$ surface. As the concentration of $NH_4OH$ was increased, the short-circuit current density ($J_{SC}$) value and conversion efficiency of solar cells were increased because the amount of adsorbed dye molecules on $TiO_2$ surface was increased. As a result of the surface modification to introduce hydroxyl groups, the concentration of adsorbed dye on the $TiO_2$ surface could be improved up to 32.61% without the changes of morphology, surface area and pore volume of particles. The morphology, the specific surface area, the pore volume and the chemical states of $TiO_2$ surface were characterized by using FE-SEM, $N_2$ adsorption-desorption isotherms and XPS measurements. The amount of adsorbed dye and the performance of fabricated cells were analyzed by using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and solar simulator.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2014.02a
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• pp.481.1-481.1
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• 2014

Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) has been extensively investigated as the next generation energy source. Despite attractive features of simple fabrication process and its economical efficiency, there are some problems such as low efficiency and low long-term stability. Many groups have attempted the proposed way to improve the cell efficiency and long-term stability such as low recombination rate between $TiO_2$ surface and electrolyte, the development of new dye molecules capable of light adsorption as broadly as possible, the fabrication of a solid-state DSSC by replacing the liquid electrolyte, and protective coating on glass. In this work, we confirmed new dye-coating conditions to maximize the dye adsorption between the dye and $TiO_2$ nanoparticle surface. The experiment results coating conditions with the coating temperature of $70^{\circ}C$, the dye concentration of 10 mM and the coating time of 3 min. Conditions have two times, three times cycle the experiment in progress efficiency rises.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.396-402
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• 2015

The organic binder-free paste for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) has been investigated using peroxo titanium complex. The crystal structure of $TiO_2$ nanoparticles, morphology of $TiO_2$ film and electrical properties are analyzed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Electrochemical Impedance Spectra (EIS), and solar simulator. The synthesized $TiO_2$ nanopowders by the peroxo titanium complex at 150, 300, $400^{\circ}C$, and $450^{\circ}C$ have anatase phase and average crystal sizes are calculated to be 4.2, 13.7, 16.9, and 20.9 nm, respectively. The DSSC prepared by the peroxo titanium complex binder have higher $V_{oc}$ and lower $J_{sc}$ values than that of the organic binder. It can be attributed to improvement of sintering properties of $TCO/TiO_2$ and $TiO_2/TiO_2$ interface and to formation of agglomerate by the nanoparticles. As a result, we have investigated the organic binder-free paste and 3.178% conversion efficiency of the DSSC at $450^{\circ}C$.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2011.11a
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• pp.55.1-55.1
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• 2011

Dye-sensitized solar cell(DSSC) have been considered one of the promising alternatives to conventional solar cells, because of their low cost, easy fabrication and relatively high energy conversion efficiency. However, although the cell offers reasonable efficiency at least 11%, the use of a liquid electrolyte placed technological challenges for achieving the desired durability and operational stability of the cell. In order to prevent or reduce electrolyte leakage considerable efforts have been made, such as p-type semiconductor or organic hole-transport material that better mechanical properties and simple fabrication processes. In this work, we synthesized solid-state electrolyte containing LiI and KI metal salt with starting materials of poly ethylene oxide to substitute liquid electrolyte enhance the ionic conductivity and solar conversion efficiency. Li+ leads to faster diffusion and higher efficiency and K+ leading to higher ionic conductivity. The efficiency of poly ethylene oxide/LiI system electrolyte is 1.47% and poly ethylene oxide/potassium electrolyte is 1.21%. An efficiency of 3.24% is achieved using solid-state electrolyte containing LiI and KI concentrations. The increased solar conversion efficiency is attributed to decreased crystallinity in the polymer that leads to enhanced charge transfer.