All-metal-electrode-type dye sensitized solar cells (transparent conductive oxide-less dye sensitized solar cell) consisting of thick and porous Ti electrode with straight pores

Transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer-less dye sensitized solar cells (DSCs) are reported. The cell is composed of a glass substrate, TiO2 porous layer stained with dye molecules, porous Ti electrode, electrolyte, and a Pt sputtered Ti sheet. The cell exhibits an efficiency of 7.43% which was a little less than that of 8.44% for a DSC consisting of a TCO glass. The high efficiency was brought about by the thick and porous Ti electrode (200-300 nm thickness) which kept high conductivity and swift ionic diffusion. The preparation process for the Ti electrode is reported. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.