(320al) Influence of Acetic Acid on the Photovoltaic Performance of Ru(II) Dye Sensitized Nanocrystalline Tio2 Solar Cells

Titanium oxide based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) was fabricated by the use of acetic acid having the carboxyl acid functional groups. Influence of acetic acid treatment of TiO2 electrode with different acids and concentrations on the photovoltaic performance of DSSC was investigated. The additional acetic acid formed assures both, necking between particles and film adhesion to the substrate. The photoelectrode obtained by acid treatment had been characterized by scanning electron microscopy, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and I-V measurement. It was found that DSSC had better photovoltaic performance when the TiO2 electrode was treated by acetic acid than that by hydrochloric acid and phosphoric acid. With the increase of the concentration of acetic acid to treat TiO2 electrode the fill factor (FF) of DSSC increase, the short-circuit current (Isc) decreases, the open-circuit voltage (Voc) increase. The acid treatment of TiO2 electrode provides useful information on the mechanism of energy conversion of DSSC. Acetic acid treatment is advantageous for the adsorption to molecules and enhancement of the photoelectric performance of TiO2 electrode.