Electrophoretic deposition of ZnO film and its compression for a plastic based flexible dye-sensitized solar cell

► Compression post-treatment on ZnO photoanode improves cell efficiency. ► Metal-free organic indoline dye is used. ► Conversion efficiency of 4.04% for a ZnO-based flexible DSSC has achieved. ► Fig. 1 shows the great adherence of the ZnO film to the substrate. ► EIS analysis realizes the improvement by compression post-treatment.