Improved sintering process of counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

In interfaces between carbon black or Pt and FTO glass in dye-sensitized solar cell counter electrodes, a marginal resistant channel for electrons, we tried to improve the connection by modifying the sintering process. A stepwise sintering process for carbon black and Pt counter electrodes was applied and its effect on power conversion efficiency was studied. Power conversion efficiencies of built-in DSSC made by a one-step sintering process with carbon black and Pt counter electrodes were about 5.01% and 5.02%, respectively. Cells made with the stepwise sintering process were 5.96% and 6.21%, respectively, indicating an 20% improvement. Fill factor (FF) increased, and it was them main reason for the power conversion efficiency improvement. Step wise sintering increased the adhesion of the interface and reduced the film thickness and surface roughness. As a result, the resistivity of the counter electrode and EIS impedance of DSSCs decreased.