• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.42-47
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• 2016

Increasing the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) by the fabrication of new photoelectrodes (PEs) is an important challenge. This study examined the photovoltaic parameters of DSSCs composed of a $TiO_2$ PE with $WO_3$ nanoparticles (NPs). A number of PEs with the same thickness but different concentrations of $WO_3$ NPs in the $TiO_2PE$ were prepared. The morphology and structural properties of the prepared PEs were examined by field-emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. The effects of the $WO_3$ NPs mixing concentration on the efficiency of DSSCs were investigated under simulated solar light irradiation.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.114-118
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• 2011

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells(DSSCs) consist of a titanium dioxide($TiO_2$) nano film of the photo electrode, dye molecules on the surface of the $TiO_2$ film, an electrolyte layer and a counter electrode. But two transparent conductive oxide(TCO) substrates are estimated to be about 60[%] of the total cost of the DSSCs. Currently novel TCO-less structures have been investigated in order to reduce the cost. In this study, we suggested a TCO-less DSSCs which has titanium double layer electrodes. Titanium double layer electrodes are formed by electron-beam evaporation method. Analytical instruments such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope were used to evaluate the TCO-less DSSCs. As a result, the proposed structure decreases energy conversion efficiency and short-circuit current density compared with the conventional DSSCs structure with FTO glass, while internal series impedance of TCO-less DSSCs using titanium double layer electrodes decreases by 27[%]. Consequently, the fill factor is improved by 28[%] more than that of the conventional structure.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.123-126
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• 2011

Titanium dioxide ($TiO_2$) thin films were deposited by the sol-gel method with a surfactant-assisted mechanism. Its application for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) was investigated. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy techniques were used to characterize the surface characteristics of thin films. Photovoltaic-current density measurements were performed to determine the photoelectrochemical properties of the thin films and the performance of DSSCs. Energy conversion efficiency of about 6.1% was achieved for cells with conductive glass under illumination with AM 1.5 (100 $mWcm^{-2}$) simulated sunlight. Investigation showed higher photo-energy conversion efficiency for mesoporous $TiO_2$ nanocrystalline films used in DSSCs relative to commercially available Degussa P25 films.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.140-143
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• 2005

Carbon Nanotube(CNTs) counter electrode is a promising alternative to Platinum counter electrode for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this study, CNT counter electrodes having different visible light transmittance were prepared on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass surface by spray coating method. Microstructural images show that there are CNT-tangled region coated on FTO glass counter electrodes. Using such CNT counter electrodes and screen printed $TiO_2$ electrodes, DSSCs were assembled and its I-V characteristics have been studied and compared. Light energy conversion efficiency of DSSCs increased with decreasing in light transmittance of CNT counter electrode. Efficiency of DSSCs having CNT counter electrode is compatible to that of Pt counter electrode.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.234-234
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• 2013

The counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) play roles in not only collecting electrons from external circuit but also reducing I3- to I- in electrolytes. Generally, conventional counter electrodes for DSSCs are prepared from the high temperature treatment of the H2PtCl6 precursor solution at $400^{\circ}C$ However, the more simplified fabrication process of counter electrodes is required for the commercialization of DSSCs. In this work, we developed novel fabrication process of counter electrodes using nano-second pulsed laser. DSSCs employing counter electrodes prepared by laser process showed conversion efficiency of 6.75% with short-circuit current of 12.73 mA/cm2, open-circuit voltage of 0.74 V and fill factor of 0.72. Closer investigating of photovoltaic properties will be reported.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.4093-4097
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• 2012

We introduced a new UV-cured resin polymer gel as an electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) that is cured with UV irradiation to form a thin film of UV-cured resin polymer gel in the cells. The gel film was characterized and its potential for use as an electrolyte in DSSCs was investigated. This new UV-cured resin polymer gel was successfully applied as a gel polymer electrolyte in DSSCs overcoming the problems associated with the liquid electrolytes in typical DSSCs. The effect of ${\gamma}$-butylrolactone (GBL) on the long-term stability and photovoltaic performance in DSSCs using this UV-cured resin polymer gel electrolyte was also investigated. The results of the energy conversion efficiency, ionic conductivity and Raman spectra of the UV-cured resin polymer gel electrolyte with the addition of 6 wt % GBL to the UV-cured resin polymer electrolyte showed good long-term stability and photovoltaic performance for the DSSCs with the UV-cured polymer gel electrolyte.

• 한국정보디스플레이학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2009.10a
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• pp.1560-1563
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• 2009

We fabricated Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells(DSSCs) which are modified by using liquid crystals(LCs) and electro-deposition on cathode electrode in order to apply to flexible DSSCs. We deposited Pt metal layers on ITO electrode through the method of electro-deposition process during low-temperature. We could expect the long-term stability by using ionic liquid(IL) and liquid crystals(LCs). We can also see the enhancement of efficiency through orientation of LCs in gel-state electrolyte using liquid crystals at the DSSCs.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.153-158
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• 2012

We use UV(ultraviolet)-$O_3$ treatment to increase the surface area and porosity of $TiO_2$ films in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). After the UV-$O_3$ treatment, surface area and porosity of the $TiO_2$ films were increased, the increased porosity lead to amount of dye loading and solar conversion efficiency was improved. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images clearly showed that the nanocrystalline porosity of films were increased by UV-$O_3$ treatment. The Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller surface area of the $TiO_2$ films were increased from $0.71cm^2/g$ to $1.31cm^2/g$ by using UV-$O_3$ treatment for 20 min. Also, UV-$O_3$ treatment of $TiO_2$ films significantly enhanced their solar conversion efficiency. The efficiency of the films without treatment was 4.9%, and was increased to 5.6% by UV-$O_3$ treatment for 20 min. Therefore the process enhanced the solar conversion efficiency of DSSCs, and can be used to develop high sensitivity DSSCs.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.160-160
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• 2013

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have attracted much attention because of their moderate light-to-electricity conversion efficiency, easy fabrication, and low cost. At present, platinum (Pt) is used as a counter electrode in DSSCs. However, it is found that Pt dissolves in iodide electrolyte solutions and creates chemical compound such as PtI4 and H2PtI6. Carbon based materials are one of candidates for a counter electrode of DSSCs. We prepare two types of graphite oxides by different chemical treatments; original graphite oxide, hydrazine treated graphite oxide. Each graphite oxide and magnesium nitrate dispersed in deionized water are prepared as solutions for electrophoretic deposition (EPD). Each graphite oxide electrode is deposited on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate by EPD method. Structural and electrochemical properties of each electrode are investigated by field-emission scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.731-736
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• 2015

Rhodamine B (RhB) was utilized as a dye sensitizer for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and its photovoltaic property was examined under the illumination of AM 1.5 G, $100mWcm^{-2}$. DSSCs based on RhB exhibited typical photovoltaic properties with an open-circuit voltage ($V_{OC}$) of 0.34 V, a short-circuit current ($J_{SC}$) of $1.55mA{\cdot}cm^{-2}$, a fill factor (FF) of 50%, and a conversion efficiency (PCE) of 0.26%. In order to further improve the photovoltaic properties of RhB-based DSSCs, the effect of (i) incorporating a strong electron-donating NCS unit into the RhB molecular backbone, (ii) combining a bis-negatively charged zinc complex anion ($Zn-dmit_2$, dmit=di-mercapto-dithiol-thione) with the amine cation of RhB, (iii) co-adsorbing RhB dyes with chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) molecules onto porous $TiO_2$ electrodes, was investigated and discussed.