Effect of Triton X-100 in water-added electrolytes on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells

The performance of a Ru(II) dye-sensitized nanocrystalline TiO2 solar cell (DSSC) with both Triton X-100 and water as additives in 3-methoxypropionitrile solutions is described. In the presence of these additives, the open-circuit voltage (Voc), fill factor and stability of the cell increased, while the short-circuit photocurrent density decreased compared to those found in their absence. Based on these changes, the DSSC yielded a higher solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 5.9%, compared to 5.3% for the cells fabricated without the additives. Furthermore, the addition of Triton X-100 to the water-added electrolyte was found to render the Ag metal corrosion resistant.