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A study of TiO2 binder-free paste prepared for low temperature dye-sensitized solar cells

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 November 2012

Jeremy H. Yune ,
Inna Karatchevtseva ,
Gerri Triani ,
Klaudia Wagner  and
David Officer
Jeremy H. Yune
Affiliation:
Institute of Materials Engineering, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Lucas Heights, Menai, New South Wales 2234, Australia
Inna Karatchevtseva
Affiliation:
Institute of Materials Engineering, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Lucas Heights, Menai, New South Wales 2234, Australia
Gerri Triani*
Affiliation:
Institute of Materials Engineering, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Lucas Heights, Menai, New South Wales 2234, Australia
Klaudia Wagner
Affiliation:
Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Innovation Campus, Fairy Meadow, New South Wales 2519, Australia
David Officer
Affiliation:
Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Innovation Campus, Fairy Meadow, New South Wales 2519, Australia
*
a)Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: gerry.triani@ansto.gov.au
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Abstract

A binder-free titania paste was prepared by chemical modification of an acidic TiO2 sol with ammonia. By varying the ammonia concentration, the viscosity of the acidic TiO2 suspension increased, thereby allowing uniform films to be cast. The photoelectrochemical performance of TiO2 electrodes, cast as single layers, was dependent on the thermal treatment cycle. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to characterize the extent of residual organics and found that acetates from the TiO2precursor preparation were retained within the electrode structure after thermal treatment at 150 °C. Electrodes of nominal thickness 4 μm produced an energy conversion efficiency as high as 5.4% using this simple thermal treatment.

Keywords

photovoltaicnanoscalesol-gel

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Articles
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Journal of Materials Research , Volume 28 , Issue 3: Focus Issue: Titanium Dioxide Nanomaterials , 14 February 2013 , pp. 488 - 496
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2012

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