Optimization of paste formulation for TiO2 nanoparticles with wide range of size distribution for its application in dye sensitized solar cells

Dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) can be an economically viable and technically simpler alternate to the silicon based solar cells. Films of nanocrystalline titanium dioxide (TiO2) are considered as the most suitable photoelectrode for DSSC. For this study, TiO2 powder of anatase phase, synthesized in acidic environment was used. The average diameter of the nanoparticles was ∼20 nm and BET surface area was 64.68 m2/g. Different TiO2 pastes were prepared by varying the proportion of TiO2 powder, α-terpineol, and ethyl cellulose (EC) in their composition. The TiO2 paste was cast on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) coated glass surface using doctor blade to prepare photoelectrode of TiO2 film. Composition of the paste ingredients was optimized by comparing the conversion efficiencies of the DSSCs fabricated with the photoelectrode of thickness ∼18 μm. The outcome of this study can be crucial for the preparation of reliable TiO2 paste in a simple way for its application in DSSC.