The impact of electrical properties of fluorine-doped tin oxide film on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells.

Abstract

In this study, we assessed how the electrical properties of fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) layers affected the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The results demonstrated that the DSSCs' open-circuit voltage, fill factor, short-circuit current density, and energy conversion efficiency were severely affected by the electrical properties of the FTO films. The layer thickness of the FTO utilized to make dye-sensitized solar cells was around 2 micrometres. The samples were characterized using a profilometer, Hall Effect methods, and UV-visible Spectroscopy. Based on the Hall Effect measurements, the FTO has an electrical resistivity of 1.613 Ωcm, a sheet resistance of 8.065 X 103 Ω, and a conductivity of 6.200 X 10^-1 Ωcm. Consequently, the solar cell's transmittance within the visible wavelength spectrum decreases as the FTO's sheet resistance and resistivity rise with thickness. The converted efficiency of the dye-sensitized solar cells was 1.34%, 1.32%, and 2.88%, respectively, and their optical bandgaps were 2.6eV, 2.8eV, and 3.0 eV, respectively. In addition, the electrical properties of the FTO sheets had varying effects on the performance of the DSSC as a function of the components employed.