Investigation of sputter-deposited TiO2 thin film for the fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cells

Nanocrystalline TiO2 films were prepared by facing target reactive sputtering on SnO2:F coated glass substrates with different sputtering pressures: 1.2 Pa, 1.6 Pa and 2.0 Pa for the fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). These films were sensitized with a dye solution of chlorophyllin–sodium copper salt in water. The amount of dye incorporation was found to be highly dependent on the microstructure of the film, as apparent from optical measurements. Carbon material was used on SnO2:F glass as a counter electrode. Photoelectric conversion efficiency was investigated and discussed with the analysis of different TiO2 photoelectrodes.