Characterization of solar cells using nano titanium oxide and nanocomposite materials

Abstract

Dye-sensitized (DSSC) and organic composite solar cells (OCSC) were prepared for characterization and comparison of their photovoltaic conversion parameters like open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit photocurrent (Jsc), energy photovoltaic conversion efficiency (PEC). Nanocrystalline TiO2 films sensitized by the Ru(dcbpy)(NCS)2 dye (N3) were used for DSSCs and nano structured poly[2- methoxy-5-(2?-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene] (MEH-PPV) incorporating nc-TiO2 (MEHPPV+ nc-TiO 2) composites were used for OCSCs. The influence of the addition of 4-tert-butylpyridine (4TBP) or acetic acid to the electrolyte was investigated. The polymer luminescence quenching effect of the nanocomposites was observed. Due to this, MEH-PPV+nc-TiO2 nanocomposites can be used for organic solar cells. The PEC of the OCSCs using a 300 nm-thick nanocomposite film was reached a value as high as 0.15% that is comparable to the PEC of the nc-TiO2 DSSC. ?? 2009 American Institute of Physics.