The role of a Schottky barrier at an electron-collection electrode in solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells

Solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells perform in a strictly different manner when tested under monochromatic as opposed to white-light illumination. Without a UV component in the illumination source, a Schottky barrier is present at the anode interface. Data suggest (see figure) that the generation of surface states, under white-light illumination, results in a pinning of the Fermi level in the TiO2 at the anode interface. Improving this contact facilitates significant improvement in the device performance.