Mechanical integrity of dye-sensitized photovoltaic fibers

The development of photovoltaic (PV) devices based on dye-sensitized TiO2-coated Ti fibers has opened up exciting possibilities for novel PV textile applications. The cohesion and adhesion of the TiO2 layer are identified as crucial factors in maintaining PV efficiency during textile manufacture and weaving operations. The present work describes a systematic investigation of the corresponding damage mechanisms and their influence on the overall PV fiber performance during mechanical deformation. The results confirm that with proper control of the tension of the weft and in the warp, high PV efficiency woven textures are feasible using this technology. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.