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Layer‐by‐Layer Formation of Block‐Copolymer‐Derived TiO 2 for Solid‐State Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Author(s) -
Guldin Stefan,
Docampo Pablo,
Stefik Morgan,
Kamita Gen,
Wiesner Ulrich,
Snaith Henry J.,
Steiner Ullrich
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
small
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.785
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1613-6829
pISSN - 1613-6810
DOI - 10.1002/smll.201102063
Subject(s) - materials science , copolymer , mesoporous material , annealing (glass) , calcination , fabrication , dye sensitized solar cell , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , solar cell , shrinkage , nanoparticle , thin film , layer (electronics) , photoactive layer , polymer solar cell , optoelectronics , electrode , composite material , polymer , chemistry , organic chemistry , catalysis , alternative medicine , pathology , engineering , electrolyte , medicine
Morphology control on the 10 nm length scale in mesoporous TiO 2 films is crucial for the manufacture of high‐performance dye‐sensitized solar cells. While the combination of block‐copolymer self‐assembly with sol–gel chemistry yields good results for very thin films, the shrinkage during the film manufacture typically prevents the build‐up of sufficiently thick layers to enable optimum solar cell operation. Here, a study on the temporal evolution of block‐copolymer‐directed mesoporous TiO 2 films during annealing and calcination is presented. The in‐situ investigation of the shrinkage process enables the establishment of a simple and fast protocol for the fabrication of thicker films. When used as photoanodes in solid‐state dye‐sensitized solar cells, the mesoporous networks exhibit significantly enhanced transport and collection rates compared to the state‐of‐the‐art nanoparticle‐based devices. As a consequence of the increased film thickness, power conversion efficiencies above 4% are reached.