Spray-dried and pre-sintered TiO2 micro-balls for sinter-free processing of dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

A sinter-free TiO₂ electrode for flexible DSSCs was fabricated by utilizing spherical aggregates of pre-sintered TiO₂ nanoparticles 2–5 μm in diameter (micro-balls), which are prepared by a spray-drying process. The network of interconnected TiO₂ nanoparticles within the pre-sintered TiO₂ micro-balls resulted in an electron diffusion path from adsorbed dye to an underlying TCO surface, while the nanoparticles themselves made a porous, high surface area TiO₂ structure, hence improved energy conversion efficiency.