Ga-doped zno transparent electrodes with Tio ₂ blocking layer/nanoparticles for dye-sensitized solar cells

Ga-doped ZnO [GZO] thin films were employed for the transparent electrodes in dyesensitized solar cells [DSSCs]. The electrical property of the deposited GZO films was as good as that of commercially used fluorine-doped tin oxide [FTO]. In order to protect the GZO and enhance the photovoltaic properties, a TiO ₂ blocking layer was deposited on the GZO surface. Then, TiO ₂ nanoparticles were coated on the blocking layer, and dye was attached for the electrodes of DSSCs. The fabricated DSSCs with the GZO/TiO ₂ glasses showed an enhanced conversion efficiency of 4.02% compared to the devices with GZO glasses (3.36%). Furthermore, they showed even better characteristics than those using the FTO glasses, which can be attributed to the reduced charge recombination and series resistance.