Full Paper

Layer-by-Layer Formation of Block-Copolymer-Derived TiO2 for Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

  1. Stefan Guldin1,
  2. Pablo Docampo2,
  3. Morgan Stefik3,†,
  4. Gen Kamita1,
  5. Ulrich Wiesner3,
  6. Henry J. Snaith2,
  7. Ullrich Steiner1,*

Article first published online: 15 DEC 2011

DOI: 10.1002/smll.201102063

Issue

Small

Small

Volume 8, Issue 3, pages 432–440, February 6, 2012

Additional Information

How to Cite

Guldin, S., Docampo, P., Stefik, M., Kamita, G., Wiesner, U., Snaith, H. J. and Steiner, U. (2012), Layer-by-Layer Formation of Block-Copolymer-Derived TiO2 for Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. Small, 8: 432–440. doi: 10.1002/smll.201102063

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, J. J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK

  2. 2

    Department of Physics, Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PU, UK

  3. 3

    Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA

  1. †

    Laboratory of Photonic and Interfaces, Institute of Physical Chemistry, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland

*Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, J. J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 30 JAN 2012
  2. Article first published online: 15 DEC 2011
  3. Manuscript Received: 30 SEP 2011

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Keywords:

  • dye-sensitized solar cells;
  • TiO2;
  • self-assembly;
  • block copolymers;
  • sol–gel

Graphical Abstract

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Fabrication of sufficiently thick mesoporous TiO2 photoelectrodes with morphology control on the 10 nm length scale is essential for solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (ss-DSC). This study of the temporal evolution of block-copolymer-directed mesoporous TiO2 films during annealing and calcination enables the build-up of sufficiently thick films for high-performance ssDSC devices.

Abstract

Morphology control on the 10 nm length scale in mesoporous TiO2 films is crucial for the manufacture of high-performance dye-sensitized solar cells. While the combination of block-copolymer self-assembly with sol–gel chemistry yields good results for very thin films, the shrinkage during the film manufacture typically prevents the build-up of sufficiently thick layers to enable optimum solar cell operation. Here, a study on the temporal evolution of block-copolymer-directed mesoporous TiO2 films during annealing and calcination is presented. The in-situ investigation of the shrinkage process enables the establishment of a simple and fast protocol for the fabrication of thicker films. When used as photoanodes in solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells, the mesoporous networks exhibit significantly enhanced transport and collection rates compared to the state-of-the-art nanoparticle-based devices. As a consequence of the increased film thickness, power conversion efficiencies above 4% are reached.

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