Thin Nanostructured Solar Cells on Metal Sheets

摘要

Direct integration of nanostructured, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC) on industrial sheet metals, used e.g. as building materials has been studied. To demonstrate a flexible, roll-to-roll manufacturable, and mechanically stable DSC, counter electrodes made of platinized ITO-PET plastic foils, and solidified iodine electrolyte were employed in the cells, where the photoelectrodes were deposited on stainless steel sheets. Total power conversion efficiency of 3.8% was obtained with a DSC consisting of a stainless steel photoelectrode, Pt-plastic counter electrode, and gel electrolyte (for a reference, 4.3% and 4.7% with a Pt-glass counter electrode and gel and liquid electrolytes, respectively). The simple manufacturing process of the cells and the flexible, low-cost steel substrate show potential for cost-efficient, high throughput mass production of the DSC.