The Influence of Materials of Electrodes of Sensitized Solar Cells on Their Capacitive and Electrical Characteristics

Abstract

An estimation is made of the internal capacitance of sensitized solar cells (SSCs) manufactured by the method of extraction pyrolysis. The structures under study are characterized by a hysteresis in the current-voltage characteristic obtained in the direct and reverse modes of voltage variation. The investigations of SSCs demonstrate a high inertness of the parameters under connection and disconnection of the light source. The use of a transparent conductive ITO-electrode, manufactured by the extraction pyrolysis, increases the external capacitance of the cell and decelerates the processes of current decay after the light source connection compared to the commercial FTO-electrode. The values of charges, capacitances, and SSC charge conservation efficiencies are calculated and the internal resistance of the SSCs under study is estimated. According to the estimations performed, the specimen with an ITO-layer possesses a capacitance equal to С₁ = 1.23·10^–3 F, which is by two orders of magnitude higher than that of the specimen with a FTO-layer (С₂ = 2.06·10^–5 F).