DSCs fabrication using gel type electrolyte and ITIO films prepared by RF magnetron sputtering

Abstract

In this work, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) fabricated with transparent conductive titanium-doped indium oxide (ITiO) films and gel type electrolyte. The ITiO films were prepared by a radio frequency (rf) magnetron sputtering. The gel electrolytes based on polyurethane as a polymer matrix was prepared by the UV curing of a liquid electrolyte containing an aliphatic urethane acrylate. By controlling the concentration of the polymer matrix, the ionic conductivities of the gel electrolytes were examined. The electrical and optical properties of the transparent conductive ITiO film and the photovoltaic performance of the prepared DSCs were investigated. The ITiO and gel type electrolytes layers used for DSCs exhibited an energy conversion efficiency of about 4.24 % (Voc: 0.72V, Jsc: 9.72 mA/cm2, ff: 0.61) at light intensity of 100 mW/cm2. © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.