Flexible Dye Sensitized Solar Cells Photoanodes and Flexible Solar Cell Construction Methods

Rutgers researchers have formulated aqueous slurries of nanosized titanium dioxide which can be annealed at low temperature. Annealing is an important step in the fabrication of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) but usually is done at 450oC. Such elevated temperature is energy consuming and forbids the use of plastic flexible substrates. Organic solvents are also used which can have an impact on the environment. In our process water is used as the solvent and a small amount of acid (H2SiF6) enables particle connection at low temperature (150oC). Appropriate particle size distribution is also key to combine particle interconnection and good solar cell efficiency. Using this technology Rutgers researchers have developed flexible dye sensitized solar cell construction methods which include lamination with polymer electrolyte cell sealing and metal mesh current collectors. Market Applications: Photovoltaics