Improved performance of dye-sensitized solar cell based on TiO2 photoanode with FTO glass and film both treated by TiCl4

The dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) based on TiO2 photoanode with FTO glass and TiO2 film co-treated by TiCl4 were fabricated. The effects of TiCl4 treatment on the photovoltaic performance of the DSSCs were investigated. TiCl4 treatment of the FTO glass resulted in the formation of a compact TiO2 thin layer on its surface, which could increase the electron collection efficiency. Meanwhile, TiCl4 treatment of the TiO2 film could fill gaps between nanoparticles in the TiO2 film, leading to better electron transfer. These advantages make the DSSC exhibit a highest conversion efficiency of 3.34% under a simulated solar irradiation with an intensity of 100 mW/cm2 (1 sun), increased by 38% compared with that of the untreated DSSC.