Inkjet‐Printed TiO2 Nanoparticles from Aqueous Solutions for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs). Issue 8 (29th June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cherrington, Ruth; Hughes, Darren J.; Senthilarasu, S.; Goodship, Vannessa
• Is Part Of: Energy technology. Volume 3:Issue 8(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 866
• Page End: 870
• Publication Date: 2015-06-29
• Subjects: Energy development -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; 333.79
• DOI: 10.1002/ente.201500096
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2194-4288

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>This work reports on the formulation of suitable ink for inkjet printing of TiO₂ by investigating the critical parameters of particle size, pH, viscosity, and stability. Aqueous suspensions of TiO₂ nanoparticles (Degussa, P25) were prepared with the addition of 25 wt % polyethylene glycol 400 as a humectant to minimize drying at the printer nozzles and reduce the likelihood of nozzle blockage. The inkjet‐printed TiO₂ layers were assembled into dye‐sensitized solar cells. The current–voltage (<italic>I</italic>–<italic>V</italic>) characteristics were measured under one sun (air mass 1.5, 100 mW cm⁻²) using a source meter (Model 2400, Keithley Instrument, Inc.), and the active area of the cell was 0.25 cm². The inkjet‐printed TiO₂ photoanode produced a device with a short‐circuit current (<italic>I</italic>_sc) of 9.42 mA cm⁻², an open‐circuit voltage (<italic>V</italic>_oc) of 0.76 V, and a fill factor (FF) of 0.49, resulting in a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 3.50 %.</p> </abstract>