Improving the photovoltaic performance and flexibility of fiber-shaped dye-sensitized solar cells with atomic layer deposition

A conformal and thin TiO2 film fabricated with atomic layer deposition (ALD) improves the performance of fiber-shaped dye-sensitized solar cells (FDSSCs). Electrical contact at Ti/TiO2 is improved through insertion of a uniform and pinhole-free TiO2 film. The film thickness varies from 5 nm to 40 nm, and the high power conversion efficiency of 7.41% is achieved from a typical device with a 15 nm TiO2 film and a 10 pm TiO2 nanoparticles layer. The compact and high-quality TiO2 film improves Ti/TiO2 interfacial property. Surface modification hastens electron transport, which thus improves the charge collection efficiency. Both photocurrent density and bending performance are significantly enhanced compared with those of the corresponding FDSSCs without ALD treatment. (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier Ltd.