Optimization Thickness of Photoanode Layer and Membrane as Electrolyte Trapping Medium for Improvement Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Performance

Abstract

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC) are photovoltaic devices that contain a dye that acts as a solar light acceptor. The use of dye-sensitized solar cells to solve increasing energy demand and environmental problems still results in low efficiency values. In thisstudy, optimization of DSSC components was carried out to increase DSSC efficiency by varying the thickness of the titaniumdioxide (TiO2) semiconductor photoanode layer, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) trap electrolyte membrane, and polyvinylidenefluoride nanofiber (PVDF NF) to obtain the optimum thickness. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) results of membrane thicknessvariation and titanium dioxide (TiO2) semiconductor photoanode coating showed the formation of nanofiber fibers composed ofthree-dimensional, porous, and diameter networks connected to the PVDF NF membrane. The increase in density and decrease inpore size, along with an increase in thickness and cracking as the TiO2photoanode semiconductor layer increases, affect the electrontransport rate of the DSSC. The higher particle density level will inhibit the electron transport rate, so it can reduce the efficiency ofDSSC. The optimum thickness of the TiO2semiconductor layer and PVDF NF electrolyte membrane of 0.20 mm and 0.35 mm canproduce values, voltage, fill factor current density, and electrical efficiency of 500 mV, 2.7 x 10−3mA.cm−2, 1.80%, and 2.40%,respectively.

Keywords

• dssc
• electrolyte
• pvdf
• pvdf nf
• photoanode
• titanium oxide
• dscc