Hydrothermal Processed TiO2 Nanoparticles for Optimization in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using Statistical Experimental Strategies

摘要

Nanostructure TiC>2 is prepared using the hydrothermal process for applications as an anode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The effect of such fabrication conditions as the resistance of fluorine doped tin oxide-coated (FTO) glass, polyethylene glycol (PEG) content in TiC>2 paste, TiC>2 film thickness, electrolyte solvent, and the preparation of Pt counter electrode on the performance of the DSSC device, is systematically studied using fractional factorial design methodology. Fractional factorial analysis indicates that the effects of TiC>2 film thickness, preparation of Pt counter electrode, as well as the two-factor interactions of FTO substrate and TiC>2 film thickness, TiC>2 film thickness and electrolyte solvent, and TiC>2 film thickness and preparation of Pt counter electrode, are the key variables influencing the device efficiency.rnThe optimal conditions of the device efficiency occurs for a 10 Q/squarernFTO substrate, 15 wt% PEG content in TiO2 paste, ~ 6 (jm TiO2 film thickness, MPN solvent in electrolyte, and spin-coated Pt counter electrode, generating a maximum device efficiency of ~ 9 %.