Electrophoretically deposited TiO2 photo-electrodes for use in flexible dye-sensitized solar cells

The preparation of an electrophoretically deposited film composed of wide band gap nanocrystalline TiO2 without the use of a surfactant or any post-thermal treatments is described. The resulting film was examined with reference to applications in a flexible dye-sensitized solar cell. The packing densities of the films could be controlled through electrophoretic deposition parameters, such as the applied electric field or the concentration of electrolyte. The fill factor and efficiency of energy conversion of the flexible dye-sensitized solar cell employing electrophoretically deposited TiO2 film was 50% and 1.03%, respectively. To increase the efficiency of energy conversion of the flexible dye-sensitized solar cell, compression was employed and, as a result, the fill factor and efficiency of energy conversion increased to 56.3% and 1.66%, respectively. Thus, the fabrication of a flexible dye-sensitized cell by electrophoretic deposition without the need for any thermal treatment and surfactant is possible.