Nanocrystalline TiO2 Thin Film Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Applications

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) are one of the third-generation solar cell technologies with the potential to render solar energy as an economically attractive sustainable energy source. However, to become a commercial reality, advances in the area of photo-electrode fabrication are required. This paper describes the operation principles of the DSSC and introduces current research efforts aiming at photoelectrodes with higher efficiency and that are easier to fabricate. Its main focus lies in the alternative methods of synthesis, coatings, and processing of the TiO2 nanocrystalline films as a critical operation in fabricating the DSSC. This paper provides an overview of the authors' work on the characterization of the nanotitania films and the correlation between material properties, processing parameters, and electrochemical cell performance.