High efficiency dye-sensitized solar cells (9.3%) by using a new compact layer: Decrease series resistance and increase shunt resistance

• This the first time that such a simple and effective compact layer is used for DSSCs.
• This is the first time that compact layer is used before deposited TiO2 NPs by EPD.
• Here, we deposit scatter layer by using EPD method for the first time.
• Different concentration of compact layer is investigated.
• Different methods are applied for deposition of compact layer.

A novel and simple barrier layer has been successfully used to improve the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The power conversion efficiency of DSSCs with a novel and simple barrier layer is 9.3%, which is an increase of 14.6% compared to the cell without a novel barrier layer (8.11%).