Spacer Thickness-Dependent Electron Transport Performance of Titanium Dioxide Thick Film for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

A titanium dioxide (P25) film was deposited by cast coating as conductive photoelectrode and subsequently immersed in dye solution (N719) to fabricate the photoanode of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). A plastic spacer was used as a separation and sealant layer between the photoanode and the counter electrode. The effect of the thickness of this spacer on the transfer of electrons in the liquid electrolyte of the DSSCs was studied by means of both IV curves and electrochemical impedance. Using a spacer thickness range of 20 mu m to 50 mu m, efficiency ranges from 3.73% to 7.22%. The highest efficiency of 7.22% was obtained with an optimal spacer thickness of 40 mu m.