Ga-doped zno transparent electrodes with Tio2 blocking layer/nanoparticles for dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Ga-doped ZnO [GZO] thin films were employed for the transparent electrodes in dyesensitized solar cells [DSSCs]. The electrical property of the deposited GZO films was as good as that of commercially used fluorine-doped tin oxide [FTO]. In order to protect the GZO and enhance the photovoltaic properties, a TiO2 blocking layer was deposited on the GZO surface. Then, TiO2 nanoparticles were coated on the blocking layer, and dye was attached for the electrodes of DSSCs. The fabricated DSSCs with the GZO/TiO2 glasses showed an enhanced conversion efficiency of 4.02% compared to the devices with GZO glasses (3.36%). Furthermore, they showed even better characteristics than those using the FTO glasses, which can be attributed to the reduced charge recombination and series resistance. © 2012 Kim et al.