Laser processing of TiO2 films for dye solar cells: a thermal, sintering, throughput and embodied energy investigation. (17th August 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mincuzzi, G.; Schulz‐Ruhtenberg, M.; Vesce, L.; Reale, A.; Di Carlo, A.; Gillner, A.; Brown, T. M.
• Is Part Of: Progress in photovoltaics. Volume 22:Number 3(2014)
• Page Start: 308
• Page End: 317
• Publication Date: 2012-08-17
• Subjects: Solar cells -- Periodicals; Photovoltaic cells -- Periodicals; Solar power plants -- Periodicals; 621.31245
• DOI: 10.1002/pip.2261
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1062-7995

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <p>We have analysed and optimised a laser process for the sintering of the TiO₂ layers in dye solar cells (DSCs). Through a thermographic characterisation of the process, we show that it is possible to scale and process large areas uniformly (16 cm²). We fabricated DSCs with nanocrystalline (nc)‐TiO₂ films sintered by using pulsed ultraviolet laser with an average output power <italic>P</italic> varying from 1 W to 7 W whilst mainting a constant power conversion efficiency <italic>η</italic>. The highest efficiency reached for a laser sintered DSC was 7%. The time required to sinter 1 m² of nc‐TiO₂ film was found to decrease hyperbolically with <italic>P</italic>, which is important for determining process takt times. We quantified the embodied energy (<italic>EE</italic>) required to sinter 1 m² of the active TiO₂ layer for a variety of different processes, and found that the <italic>EE</italic> for the laser sintering process with a system wall plug efficiency of 3.5% to be competitive with the more conventional oven and belt furnace treatments. We outline the main features required from a laser system to carry out an efficient, energetically favourable and industrially applicable automated process with competitive throughput. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.</p> </abstract>