Fundamental characteristics on patterning TiO ₂ of dye-sensitized solar cell utilizing PELID (Patterning with Electrostatically-Injected Droplet) method

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 titania layer of dye-sensitized 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 titania paste on FTO (Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide) glass. The thickness of titania layer was controlled by the time to print. DSC is composed of electrolyte that is sandwiched between FTO glass and Pt electrode. Titania 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. Titania 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 titania, new fabrication method that can change the thickness easily should be developed. We developed the PELlD 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 titania cm FTO glass. The thickness of patterned titania layer was investigated.