Optimizing room temperature binder free TiO2 paste for high efficiency flexible polymer dye sensitized solar cells

Binder free TiO2 paste is prepared using tert-butyl alcohol in dilute acidic conditions at room temperature for flexible polymer dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The present paper reports the detailed studies carried out to elucidate the importance of stirring times during the paste preparation on the final device performance. The maximum conversion efficiency of 4.2% was obtained for flexible DSSCs fabricated on tin doped indium oxide/polyethylene naphthalate substrates using TiO2 paste prepared with an optimum stirring time of 8 h. The effect of optimum stirring times on the device characteristics has been understood in terms of the detailed morphology and surface area measurements.