Electrical and optical studies of flexible stainless steel mesh electrodes for dye sensitized solar cells

Stainless steel (SS) mesh was used to fabricate anodes for flexible dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) in order to evaluate them as replacements for more expensive Transparent Conductor Oxides (TCO's). SS mesh performance was analyzed and it was determined that oxidation of SS during the sintering of titania particles affects the transport and interface resistance of the device. Thus a thin layer of non-porous titania coating was added onto the mesh to protect the electrode from oxidation. Comparing with Fluorine doped Tin Oxide (FTO), SS mesh was found to have higher interface resistance but the overall series resistance was lower due to higher conductivity of metals. The effects of SS mesh opening size and microstructure on the performance of the device was analyzed and design strategies to obtain high efficiency flexible SS mesh DSSC are provided.

Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Loss mechanisms in flexible Dye Sensitized Solar Cells using SS electrodes.
► Methods to increase the electron transport and reduce interface resistances in the device.
► Effects of SS mesh opening size and microstructure on the device performance.
► New design strategies to further improve the device performance.