Nanocrystalline titania-based dye-sensitized solar cells

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The overall objective of this project proposal is the development of new generation solar cell technology withthe potential of rendering solar energy an economically attractive sustainable energy source. Dye-sensitizednanocrystalline titania-based solar cells (DSSC) hold the promise of achieving this breakthough. For this typeof cells, though, to become a successful commercial reality major advances in the area of photoelectrodematerial preparation and electrolyte development are required. It is indeed the scope of the present research toaddress these two critical R&D issues by aiming at: (1) the elaboration of a low temperature (hence low cost)aqueous-based synthesis method for tailor-made nanocrystalline titania material; (2) theapplication/development of new coating, annealing and senstization processes for the deposition/sintering oftitania films on plastic materials hence facilitating cell manufacturing;(3) and the development of aleakage-free gel electrolyte that overcomes the short lifespan of the present liquid electrolyte-based solar celldesign. Development of knowhow and materials/processes that can enable the fabrication of low-cost newgeneration solar cell modules as proposed here has the potential to lead to new exportable advance technologiesand greater use of solar energy at home hence helping meeting our sustainable energy needs.