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Low-Cost, Large-Area Nanocrystalline TiO2 -Polymer Solar Cells on Flexible Plastics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 February 2011

Krishna C. Mandal
Affiliation:
EIC Laboratories, Inc., Norwood, MA. 02062–2612, USA
Anton Smirnov
Affiliation:
EIC Laboratories, Inc., Norwood, MA. 02062–2612, USA
D. Peramunage
Affiliation:
EIC Laboratories, Inc., Norwood, MA. 02062–2612, USA
R. David Rauh
Affiliation:
EIC Laboratories, Inc., Norwood, MA. 02062–2612, USA
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Abstract

This paper describes our recent research on the development of fully flexible and low-cost dye-sensitized nanocrystalline TiO2 solar cells (DSSC). At EIC Laboratories, we have developed various large-area solid-state versions, which include both ionically, and hole-conducting allpolymer DSSCs made by continuous coating and lamination process. Various critical steps involve ∼10 micron thick nanocrystalline TiO2 film deposition on conducting PET plastics by various methods such as spraying, spin coating, and screen printing, a low temperature sintering (∼150°C) process, and polymer laminated electrolyte have been demonstrated as valuable active components. The photovoltaic (PV) performance presented in this paper show the fabricated solar cells of ∼1.2 cm2 area with reproducible AM1.5 (Air Mass 1.5) efficiencies of 4.7%. A prototype solar cell with a new hole conducting star polymer with AM 1.5 efficiency ∼2.12% has been thoroughly characterized and discussed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2003

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References

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