Dye-sensitized solar cell and method for fabricating the same

Abstract

A dye-sensitized solar cell and method for fabricating the same are provided. The dye-sensitized solar cell includes a photo electrode including a first electrode and a Zn-doped TiO 2 porous layer disposed on the first electrode, wherein the Zn-doped TiO 2 porous layer absorbs a dye. A second electrode is disposed opposite to the photo electrode, wherein the Zn-doped TiO 2 porous layer is disposed between the first and second electrodes. An electrolyte is disposed between the photo electrode and the second electrode.

1 . A dye-sensitized solar cell, comprising:
 a photo electrode comprising a first electrode and a Zn-doped TiO 2  porous layer disposed on the first electrode, wherein the Zn-doped TiO 2  porous layer absorbs a dye;   a second electrode disposed opposite to the photo electrode, wherein the Zn-doped TiO 2  porous layer is disposed between the first and second electrodes; and   an electrolyte disposed between the photo electrode and the second electrode.   
     
     
         2 . The dye-sensitized solar cell as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the Zn-doped TiO 2  porous layer is represented by Ti (1-x) Zn x O 2 , wherein 0<x≦0.007. 
     
     
         3 . The dye-sensitized solar cell as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first electrode is a transparent electrode. 
     
     
         4 . The dye-sensitized solar cell as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second electrode comprises Pt, conductive polymer, carbon or composite materials. 
     
     
         5 . A method for fabricating a dye-sensitized solar cell, comprising:
 (a) mixing a TiO 2  powder, a Zn-containing compound and an alkaline aqueous solution to form a mixture and performing a thermal process on the mixture to form a Zn-doped TiO 2  powder;   (b) mixing a binder solution with the Zn-doped TiO 2  powder to form a paste;   (c) coating the paste on a first electrode, and the paste is performed a sintering process to form a Zn-doped TiO 2  porous layer, wherein the Zn-doped TiO 2  porous layer and the first electrode construct a photo electrode;   (d) disposing a second electrode opposite to the photo electrode after a dye is absorbed by the Zn-doped TiO 2  porous layer; and   (e) disposing an electrolyte between the photo electrode and the second electrode.   
     
     
         6 . The method for fabricating a dye-sensitized solar cell as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the thermal process further comprising:
 (a) performing a first thermal process on the mixture;   (b) performing a washing process on the mixture using an acidic aqueous solution; and   (c) performing a second thermal process on the mixture.   
     
     
         7 . The method for fabricating a dye-sensitized solar cell as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the Zn-containing compound comprises Zn-containing inorganic metal salts or organic Zn-containing compounds. 
     
     
         8 . The method for fabricating a dye-sensitized solar cell as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the first thermal process and the second thermal process comprise a hydrothermal synthesis process. 
     
     
         9 . The method for fabricating a dye-sensitized solar cell as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the first thermal process has a process time of between about 20 to 40 hours. 
     
     
         10 . The method for fabricating a dye-sensitized solar cell as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the first thermal process has a process temperature of between about 110° C. and 140° C. 
     
     
         11 . The method for fabricating a dye-sensitized solar cell as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the second thermal process has a process time of between about 10 and 20 hours. 
     
     
         12 . The method for fabricating a dye-sensitized solar cell as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the second thermal process has a process temperature of between about 180° C. and 250° C. 
     
     
         13 . The method for fabricating a dye-sensitized solar cell as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the alkaline aqueous solution is a sodium hydroxide aqueous solution. 
     
     
         14 . The method for fabricating a dye-sensitized solar cell as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the acidic aqueous solution is a nitric acid or hydrogen chloride aqueous solution. 
     
     
         15 . The method for fabricating a dye-sensitized solar cell as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the mixture after performing the washing process reaches a pH value of between about 1.5 and 4. 
     
     
         16 . The method for fabricating a dye-sensitized solar cell as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the Zn-doped TiO 2  porous layer is represented by Ti (1-x) Zn x O 2 , wherein 0<x≦0.007. 
     
     
         17 . The method for fabricating a dye-sensitized solar cell as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein a solvent of the binder solution comprises H 2 O, an alcohol of C 1-4 , terpineol or carbitol, and a binder of the binder solution comprises sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), polyethylene glycol (PEG), ethyl cellulose (EC) or arcylic resin.