Electrochemical Characterization of the Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Dye-Sensitized Solar cells (DSSC) has had considerable interest to be a promising solar energy conversion device. In order to improve the performance and long term stability of the DSSC, it is essential to understand the characteristics of DSSC. Various electrochemical experiments were conducted to evaluate DSSC characteristics. Variation in internal interfaces and/or components of DSSC due to exposure time, light intensity and ambient temperature were monitored. Different illumination conditions affected open circuit voltage, short circuit current and fill factor. Change in behavior of DSSC was observed when test conditions were switched from open circuit voltage conditions to potential cycling conditions. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was selected to scrutinize the interfacial charge transfer resistance variation. Equivalent circuit model for EIS results illustrated that charge transfer resistance at Pt counter electrode was mainly affected by both V-oc conditions and potential scanning with same irradiation intensity in the aging study.