Characterization of dye-sensitized and nanocrystals-based solar cells

• Main Author: Chua, Yee Sheen.
• Other Authors: School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Electrical and electronic engineering::Optics, optoelectronics, photonics
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/53224
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The aim of this report seeks to characterize the dye-sensitized and nanocrystals-based solar cells (DSSC) for light energy conversion. The efficiencies of the cells are observed by varying the thickness of titanium dioxide (TiO2) layers and quantity of dyes deposited in the TiO2 layers. DSSC is categorised under third generation solar cells that combined the advantages of both first and second generation solar cells. DSSC is the ideal solar cells in the industries using low cost materials and due to its simplicity in manufacturing process to produce inexpensive solar cells. Prior to the characterization of the DSSC, the solar cells are fabricated by using different methods in applying the TiO2 layers, varying the solvents ratio and the quantity of dyes deposited in the layers to achieve the optimum results. Furthermore, the thickness and image of the layers are captured for analysis purposes. In characterizing the DSSC, solar simulator and Source Measurement Unit (SMU) are used to produce and observe the IV characteristics to obtain the major parameters of the DSSC. The data of various solar cells are categorised into different groups to observe the variations of the IV curve of solar cells.