Studies on Dye Sensitized Solar Cell

Abstract

The main critical component of the Dye Sensitized Solar Cell is the dye sensitizer. The effect of three metal complex dyes were investigated. A new ruthenium based complex was synthesized and its effects were analysed. Also, SnO2 thin films were synthesized for the requirement of Transparent Conductive Oxide (TCO) glasses using radio frequency Plasma Enhanced Reactive Thermal Evaporation (rf-PERTE). The thin film characteristics like resistivity and sheet resistance were reported and the comparision with the commercial ITO films was also investigated. The solar cells were fabricated and an attempt was made to obtain the IV. Although the cells did not give high results, but the usefulness of the new ruthenium based complex was known. A module with eight cells in series was also fabricated and analysed. Ever since the first DSSC was found in 1991, its commercialization has been facing a lot of hindrances and in the process a variety of modifications have been done on the initial design, leading to the inclusion of new materials in the fabrication process. An attempt has been made in this project, to focus on the shortcomings of the commercialization of DSSCs and their solutions.