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Pore-size Dependence of Ion Diffusivity in Dye-sensitized Solar Cells

<p>The pore-size dependence of liquid diffusivity in mesopores has been a controversial topic. It is especially meaningful in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) because the triiodide ion diffusivity is closely related to the cell performance. By applying electrochemical measurements, the pore-size dependence of ion diffusivity in DSSCs was investigated based on TiO<sub>2</sub> thin films of variable pore diameters. The alternation of pore-size was achieved by the epitaxial growth of TiO<sub>2</sub> after TiCl<sub>4</sub> post-treatments. From the trend of normalized diffusivities, the respective valid regimes of pore-size dependent and independent diffusion were determined, which were separated by the transition point located at 5-7 nm. In addition, my results have showed that the DSSC fabrication processes, e.g., dye loading, TiCl<sub>4</sub> post-treatment will not lead to the transition of diffusion behaviors. Furthermore, the unexpected drop of diffusivity after one TiCl<sub>4</sub> treatment is attributed to the involvement of surface diffusion in untreated TiO<sub>2</sub> matrix.</p> / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/12916
Date04 1900
CreatorsMa, Yiqun
ContributorsXu, Gu, Materials Science and Engineering
Source SetsMcMaster University
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typethesis

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