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Digital Printing of Titanium Dioxide for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells
Published on: May 4, 2016
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Digital Printing of Titanium Dioxide for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells
Ruth Cherrington1, Benjamin Michael Wood2, Iulia Salaoru2
1Warwick Manufacturing Group, University of Warwick; R.Cherrington@warwick.ac.uk.
Journal of Visualized Experiments : Jove
|May 12, 2016
Summary
Researchers developed a novel digital printing method for dye-sensitized solar cells using titanium dioxide nanoparticles. This additive manufacturing approach offers a low-cost, environmentally friendly alternative to silicon solar cells, achieving 3.5% power conversion efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Renewable Energy
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Silicon solar cell production is energy-intensive and costly.
- Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) offer a lower-cost, environmentally benign alternative.
- Additive manufacturing presents a potential route to further enhance DSSC sustainability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate digital printing for fabricating dye-sensitized solar cell photoelectrodes.
- To develop an ink-jettable titanium dioxide nanoparticle formulation.
- To assess the performance and processing parameters of printed DSSCs.
Main Methods:
- Formulation and characterization of an ink-jettable titanium dioxide nanoparticle ink.
- Piezoelectric inkjet printing of a 2.6 µm thick photoelectrode layer.
- Fabrication of a functioning dye-sensitized solar cell with a binder-free formulation.
Main Results:
- A functional dye-sensitized solar cell was produced with a 3.5% power conversion efficiency.
- The binder-free formulation enabled a reduced processing temperature of 250 °C.
- The low processing temperature is compatible with flexible polyamide substrates.
Conclusions:
- Digital printing offers a viable additive manufacturing route for dye-sensitized solar cells.
- This method enhances the environmental credentials and cost-effectiveness of DSSC production.
- Further research will explore inkjet printing of other DSSC layers.
