Efficiency Enhancement of Dye-Sensitized Nanocrystalline Solar Cells Through Fabrication

This paper reports results obtained from the investigation of electrical performance of blueberry-based DSSCs and makes recommendations regarding their fabrication, specifically optimal sintering temperature and optimal sintering time. Electrical characteristics (open circuit voltage, short circuit current, power max and fill factor) of 10mm X 10mm DSSCs under indoor illumination were measured and cell efficiency calculated from ratio of maximum power output to incident luminous power. It was found that DSSCs fabricated at higher sintering temperatures (similar to 500 degrees Celsius) consistently exhibited efficiencies 2-3 times greater than those sintered at lower temperature (< 300 degrees). Furthermore sintering times in the 10-12minute range produced the most solar efficient cells. TiO2 nanocrystals in the DSSCs were viewed using an Atomic Force Scanning Electron Microscope at Penn State's Nanotechnology Characterization Facility.