Pechini based titanium sol as a matrix in TiO2 pastes for dye-sensitized solar cell application

摘要

The influence that the degree of polyesterifi-cation has on a titanium sol (Ti-sol) prepared via the Pechini method that acts as a matrix in TiO2 pastes used for dye sensitized solar cells is reported. The different content of the polyester in the Ti-sol was realized by varying the heating time of the Ti-sol. Titanium dioxide pastes were prepared by introducing a commercial TiO2 nanopowder into the Ti-sols. The TiO2 layers were tested as photoa-nodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The most appropriate degree of polyesterification was achieved by heating the Ti-sol for 0.5 and 1 h, while longer heating deteriorates the TiO2 layer morphology. The highest efficiency of the DSSCs based on an ionic liquid electrolyte was 6.3% measured under standard test conditions (100 mW/cm~2, AM 1.5, 25 °C).