Thesis Archive
Power Output Optimization of DSSC with Metal Doped TiO2 Photoanode using the Sol-gel Method and with Various Counter Electrodes
Chiu, Kendrick Nielsen N.
Ong Hian Huy, Tiffany Joy T.
Sosuan, Franco Leandro A.
Abstract:
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are categorized as third-generation thin film photovoltaic devices that are currently gaining attention due to its low cost and ease of manufacture, but it is unable to match the power conversion of conventional silicon cells. This research ventures into using silver, zinc, and copper as dopants with multi-walled carbon nanotubes, platinum, or a combination of both as counter electrode to optimize its power output performance. Three independent factors with three levels were tested using the experimental design, Taguchi method, which dictated nine different cells, each with a different dopant (Ag, Cu, Zn), doping ratio (1%, 3%, 6%), and counter electrode (MWCNT, Pt, Pt-MWCNT), of which were tested with the potentiostat under artificial light. The cells were also characterized by SEM-EDX, and UV spectrometry to investigate photoanode characteristics. In fabricating all cells, the iodide/triodide redox system was used as electrolyte, N3 was used as dye and epoxy thermoplastic used as sealant. ANOVA and S/N ratio testing was used for the statistical analysis. Among the cells created, the cell that gave the highest power was the 1% zinc doped cell with the platinum counter electrode with an efficiency of 2.39% which corresponds to a power output of 7.18 W/m2 with a fill factor of 49%. It was found through the help of ANOVA main effect per independent factor, and S/N ratio that the optimal combination is Zn as the dopant, at 1% ratio and Pt-MWCNT will result in the highest power with an efficiency of 2.52% and a fill factor of 42.6%. The metal dopant, especially Zn, is beneficial to the optimization of the power output due to improvement of surface morphology affecting recombination, reducing the band gap, and stabilizing the anatase phase. Doping ratio of 1% is optimal as large amounts of dopant will be detrimental to the structure of the titania. The Pt-MWCNT had aided efficiency by having good conducting and catalytic properties. This study concludes that metal dopant, the doping ratio, and their combination were the strongest and statistically significant influencers of power parameters and that MWCNT is competitive as counterelectrode material.
Adviser:
Dr. Joseph Auresenia