Reversely fabricated dye-sensitized solar cells

We report a novel structure of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) with reversed form. This was done by constructing all the components together as one substrate in the following order: platinum, supporting layer, titanium dioxide layer, and indium-doped tin oxide layer. To separate the photoanode from the photocathode and to make room for electrolytes, a layer of nanoparticle was introduced. With this new structure, a power conversion efficiency of 5.4% was achieved with comparable current density and open circuit voltage values to the conventional structure. The electrochemical properties and photo-chemical properties were checked by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Moreover, the present approach could be an encouraging new direction in research while facilitating the fabrication of hybrid-tandem solar cells. © 2014 The Royal Society of Chemistry.