Free standing metal-oxide semiconductor as dye-sensitized solar cells electrolyte spacer and its electrochemical analysis

Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cells have received much attention due to a high solar energy conversion yield and a cost-effective alternative to conventional solar cells. However, liquid electrolyte with high volatility causes leakage and vaporization of a liquid solvent. Therefore, the long-term stability of cells is very limited. In this study, we used high-porous metal oxide semiconductor as electrolytes spacer/holder. The pores of the spacer are filled with a liquid electrolytes and acts such as electrolytes holding layer by its sponge-like structure. Besides, it works as scattering layer simultaneously. We used IV-measurement, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS), and IPCE to characterize the electron-current change and charge transfer resistance depending on various thickness of spacers.