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Updated: May 2, 2026
Digital Printing of Titanium Dioxide for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells
Published on: May 4, 2016
Sol-gel titanium dioxide blocking layers for dye-sensitized solar cells: electrochemical characterization
Ladislav Kavan1, Marketa Zukalova, Ondrej Vik
1J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry v.v.i. Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Dolejškova 3, 182 23 Prague 8, (Czech Republic); Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 2030, 128 41 Prague 2 (Czech Republic). kavan@jh-inst.cas.cz, zukalova@jh-inst.cas.cz, havlicek@natur.cuni.cz.
Researchers developed pinhole-free titanium dioxide (TiO2) films using structure-directing agents. Heat treatment optimized film properties for efficient electronic applications, enhancing rectifying interfaces.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Titanium dioxide (TiO2) films are crucial for electronic devices.
- Controlling film morphology and properties is key for performance.
- Developing pinhole-free layers is essential for efficient interfaces.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize compact, thin TiO2 films on F-doped SnO2 (FTO) using novel structure-directing agents.
- To investigate the effect of post-deposition heat treatment on film properties.
- To characterize the rectifying behavior and electrochemical performance of the TiO2 films.
Main Methods:
- Dip-coating of TiO2 precursor solutions with poly(hexafluorobutyl methacrylate) or hexafluorobutyl methacrylate.
- Heat treatment at 500°C in air to induce crystallization.
- Cyclic voltammetry using Fe(CN)6(3-/4-) and spiro-OMeTAD as redox probes.
- Electrochemical characterization of flat-band potentials and chemical capacitance.
Main Results:
- Pinhole-free TiO2 films were successfully grown on FTO substrates.
- Films exhibited quasi-amorphous structure as-grown, crystallizing to anatase TiO2 upon annealing.
- The films formed an excellent rectifying interface with no anodic faradaic reactions.
- Flat-band potentials were upshifted, showing Nernstian pH dependence.
- Optimized films demonstrated efficient electron injection and transport, with reversible chemical capacitance.
Conclusions:
- Structure-directing agents enable the formation of high-quality TiO2 films.
- Post-deposition heat treatment is critical for controlling film morphology, crystallinity, and electrochemical properties.
- The optimized TiO2 films serve as excellent buffer layers for electronic devices, offering efficient rectifying behavior and charge transport.
