Rapid dye-sensitized solar cell working electrode preparation using far infrared rapid thermal annealing

TiO2 nanopowder sintering during dye-sensitized solar cell working electrode preparation usually takes hours and is the rate-limiting step to rapid production of dye-sensitized solar cells. Here, we show that by far infrared rapid thermal annealing (RTA) method, TiO2 working electrode sintering time reduces from hours to minutes. 5 min binders/solvents removal time at 250 °C plus 10 min sintering time at 500 °C in a RTA system gives a cell with the efficiency of 4.37%. Although the rapid removal of binders/solvents causes the TiO2 film structure collapsing and gives a more compact working electrode structure, the far infrared RTA method directly radiates TiO2 layer giving binders/solvents removal and sintering within minutes and is ideal for rapid DSSC fabrication.

► TiO2 sintering time reduces to minutes by far infrared rapid thermal annealing.
► Sixteen minutes RTA sintering time gives a cell with the efficiency of 4.37%.
► Rapid removal of solvents and binders gives a compact TiO2 film structure.
► RTA technique directly radiates titanium and is ideal for rapid DSSC fabrication.