Effect of interfacial resistances at TiO2/TCO/Electrolyte interfaces on dye sensitized solar cells

There exist a considerable discrepancy in the theoretical predictions and the experimental results for the efficiency of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC). This is due to the fact that actual characteristics of DSSC are significantly different from ideal characteristics because of the presence of interfacial resistances (at front and counter electrodes). In the present study the effect of TiO₂/TCO/Electrolyte interfaces are investigated on the ideal J-V characteristics. The work function mismatch between the TiO₂ and TCO gives rise to a Schottky barrier and its effect is similar to the resistance in series. Further the flow of leakage current from TCO to electrolyte increases the shunt resistance of the cell. The effect of interfacial resistance is studied from short circuit conditions to open circuit conditions. It is observed that J-V characteristics changes significantly and interfacial resistances at TiO₂/TCO/Electrolyte interfaces are one of the reasons for experimental and theoretical mismatch.