Abstract
In hybrid solar cells a blocking layer between the transparent electrode and the mesoporous titanium dioxide is used to prevent short-circuits between the hole-conductor and the front electrode. The conventional approach is to use a compact film of titanium dioxide. This layer has to be of optimum thickness: it has to cover the rough surface of the anode material completely while keeping it as thin as possible since the layer acts as an ohmic resistance itself. A competitive alternative arises when using an amphiphilic diblock copolymer as a functional template to produce thin, hybrid films containing a conducting titanium dioxide network embedded in an insulating ceramic material. These hybrid films can be produced much thinner compared to the conventional approach and, hence, they possess a 32% higher conductivity. The conventional and the hybrid blocking layer are characterized by conductive scanning probe microscopy and macroscopic conductance measurements. Additionally, the functionality of both blocking layers in solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells, as tested with current-voltage measurements, is verified.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1607-1613 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 7 2012 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Physics and Astronomy
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry