Fabrication of dye-sensitised solar cell utilizing PELID (Patterning with Electrostatically-Injected Droplet) method

S. Umezu*, Y. Kunugi, H. Ohmori, Y. Yano, A. Fukasawa, S. Tokunaga, A. Ishii

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Solar cell is one of the key technologies in this century because this has possibility to clear energy problems. In this paper, we tried to pattern TiO2 layer of dye-sensitised solar cell (DSC) utilizing PELID method. The PELID method is an inkjet fabrication method. The PELID method has good merit; that is ability to eject highly viscous liquid. We applied the merit for patterning TiO2 paste on FTO (Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide) glass. The thickness of TiO2 layer was controlled by the time to print. DSC is composed of electrolyte that is sandwiched between FTO glass and Pt electrode. TiO2 and N3 are patterned on FTO glass. The efficiency is not so high. The main purpose of the study is to improve the efficiency. The fabrication process of the DSC was simple. TiO2 paste was patterned on FTO glass utilizing doctor blade. The patterned paste was dried and sintered. The thickness of the layer was controlled by the spacer between the doctor blade and the glass. In the former study, the thickness was not changed, however it is essential to determine the thickness to achieve the highest efficiency. Because best thickness will be changed by the chemical characteristics of TiO2, new fabrication method that can change the thickness easily should be developed. We developed the PELID method. When the strong electric field was applied to a nozzle, small droplets were ejected by the electrostatic force. In this paper, we applied the PELID method to pattern TiO2 on FTO glass. In this experiment, the viscosity of the TiO2 paste was from several 10 to 700 mPa·s. In spite that the viscosity is high, the paste was patterned on FTO glass utilizing the PELID method. When the time to pattern was increased, TiO2 layer was thick. The efficiency was investigated when the TiO2 patterned glass was sintered. The efficiency of the fabricated DSC was 2 %~5 % in this experiment.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 11th International Conference of the European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology, EUSPEN 2011
EditorsP. Shore, Henny Spaan, H. Van Brussel, Theresa Burke
Publishereuspen
Pages522-525
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)9780955308291
Publication statusPublished - 2011 Jan 1
Externally publishedYes
Event11th International Conference of the European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology, EUSPEN 2011 - Como, Italy
Duration: 2011 May 232011 May 26

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 11th International Conference of the European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology, EUSPEN 2011
Volume2

Conference

Conference11th International Conference of the European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology, EUSPEN 2011
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityComo
Period11/5/2311/5/26

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Materials Science(all)
  • Instrumentation
  • Environmental Engineering

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