Diffusion Coefficient and Electron Lifetime Measurements in Dye Sensitized Solar Cells Using Flame Spray Pyrolyzis-Made TiO2 Nanoparticles

  • George Tsekouras, Intelligent Polymer Research Institute and ARC Centre of Excellence in Electromaterials Science, The University of Wollongong,, Australia
  • Attila Mozer, Intelligent Polymer Research Institute and ARC Centre of Excellence in Electromaterials Science, The University of Wollongong, Australia
  • Gordon Wallace, Intelligent Polymer Research Institute and ARC Centre of Excellence in Electromaterials Science, The University of Wollongong,, Australia
  • Wey Yang Teoh, ARC Centre for Functional Nanomaterials, School of Chemical Engineering and Industrial Chemistry, The University of New South W, Australia
  • Rose Amal, ARC Centre for Functional Nanomaterials, School of Chemical Engineering and Industrial Chemistry, The University of New South
  • Masanori Miyashita, Department of Fine Materials Engineering, Shinshu University, 3-15-1 Tokida, Ueda, Nagano 386-8567 (Japan), Japan
  • Shogo Mori, Department of Fine Materials Engineering, Shinshu University, 3-15-1 Tokida, Ueda, Nagano 386-8567 (Japan), Japan

    • Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been fabricated using Flame Spray Pyrolysis (FSP) made TiO2 nanoparticles. The particle size, surface area and anatase content was varied by controlling precisely the rate of combustion enthalpy of the flame, and characterized by HRTEM, XRD and BET measurements. Dye sensisitzed solar cells using three different powders with increasing particle size have been fabricated. Electron diffusion coefficient and electron lifetime have been determined using the Step Light Induced Measurements of Photocurrent and Photovoltage (SLIM-PCV) technique. It was found that by increasing the particle size from (12 nm to 22 nm), the electron diffusion coefficient increased and the electron lifetime decreased. This result is explained by the decreasing surface area with increasing particle size, and consequently, lower surface trap concentration and less grain boundaries. Finally, the performance of DSSCs based on FSP TiO2 particles is compared to commercial P25 based devices.