Dynamic preparation of TiO2 films for fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cells

Preparation of nanocrystalline porous titanium dioxide (TiO2) films with roll-to-roll compatible methods was studied. Gravure printing was used for spreading TiO2 paste and paper calendering for pressing TiO2 nanoparticle films. Influence of different preparation methods on performance of fabricated dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) was investigated. The attained light into electricity conversion efficiency was compared with DSSCs fabricated on conductive plastic substrates by doctor-blading spreading with subsequent static pressing. The latter method achieved a light conversion efficiency as high as 5.1%. The efficiency of the cells with a gravure printed TiO2 film was found to be rather low. The highest conversion efficiency was 1.7%; this is concluded to be due to insufficient thickness of the gravure printed TiO2 films. Calendering of the doctor-bladed films on the other hand attained a light conversion efficiency of 4.7%.