Atmospheric-pressure-plasma-jet processed nanoporous TiO2 photoanodes and Pt counter-electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

We demonstrate the rapid fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with both TiO₂ photoanodes and Pt counter-electrodes processed using atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APPJs). The rapid conversion of PtCl₆²⁻ to Pt for the counter-electrode of DSSCs is achieved using a 1 min 360 °C air-quenched N₂ APPJ. The APPJ-processed Pt counter-electrode is then used together with an APPJ-calcined nanoporous TiO₂ photoanode to make DSSCs that exhibit comparable efficiencies to those of cells fabricated using conventional furnace-calcination processes. APPJs can reduce the calcination durations from 30 min to 4 min for the nanoporous TiO₂ photoanode and from 15 min to 1 min for the Pt counter electrode. The ultra-short processes of DSSCs are benefited from the synergistic effects of the energetic nitrogen molecules and the heat of APPJs.