TiO2 templated films used as photoelectrode for solid-state DSSC applications: Study of the solid electrolyte infiltration by Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry

Catherine Henrist^a, Jennifer Dewalque^a, Pierre Colson^a, Rudi Cloots^a, Francois Mathis^b, Gregoire Chene^b

^aLCIS-GREENMAT, University of Liege, Allée de la chimie 3, Liege, 4000, Belgium

^bUniversity of Liege, European Center for Archeometry, Sart-Tilman, Liege, 4000, Belgium

International Conference on Hybrid and Organic Photovoltaics
Proceedings of International Conference on Hybrid and Organic Photovoltaics 2015 (HOPV15)

Roma, Italy, 2015 May 11th - 13th

Organizer: Filippo De Angelis

Poster, Jennifer Dewalque, 359
Publication date: 5th February 2015

Liquid-state dye-sensitized solar cells can suffer from electrolyte evaporation and leakage. Therefore solid-state hole transporting materials are investigated as alternative electrolyte materials. However, in solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells, optimal TiO₂ films thickness is limited to a few microns allowing the adsorption of only a low quantity of photoactive dye and thus leading to poor light harvesting and low conversion efficiency. In order to overcome this limitation, high surface area templated films are investigated as alternative to nanocrystalline films prepared by doctor-blade or screen-printing. Moreover, templating is expected to improve the pore accessibility what would promote the solid electrolyte penetration inside the porous network, making possible efficient charge transfers. In this study, films prepared from different structuring agents are discussed in terms of microstructural properties (porosity, crystallinity) as well as effect on the dye loading and Spiro-MeOTAD (2,2',7,7'-tetrakis-(N,N-di-p-methoxyphenylamine)9,9'-spirobifluorene) solid electrolyte filling. Different techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atmospheric poroellipsometry (AEP) and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-vis.) have been used to describe the microstructural features of the films. Besides, we have implemented Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) as an innovative non-destructive tool to characterize the hole transporting materials infiltration. Templated films show dye loading more than two times higher than nanocrystalline films prepared by doctor-blade or screen-printing and solid electrolyte infiltration up to 88%.

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