Fabrication of thin film dye sensitized solar cells with solar to electric power conversion efficiency over 10%

Techniques of TiO2 film fabrication for dye-sensitized solar cells having a conversion efficiency of global air mass 1.5 (AM 1.5, 1000 W/m(2)) solar light to electric power over 10% are reported. Newly implemented fabrication technologies consist of pre-treatment of the working photoelectrode by TiCl4, variations in layer thickness of the transparent nanocrystalline-TiO2 and applying a topcoat light-scattering layer as well as the adhesion of an anti-reflecting film to the electrode's surface. TiCl4 treatments induce improvements in the adhesion and mechanical strength of the nanocrystalline TiO2 layer. Optimization of the thickness of the TiO2 layer, acting as the working electrode, affects both the photocurrent and the photovoltage of the devices. Covering of the TiO2 photoanode by an anti-reflecting film results in enhancement of the photocurrent. Each of these components of film fabrication exerts a significant influence on the overall photovoltaic parameters of the devices resulting in improvements in the net energy conversion performance. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.