From dense blocking layers to different templated films in dye sensitized and perovskite solar cells: toward light transmittance management and efficiency enhancement

In this study, we have tried to demonstrate the implications of employing nonsimilar mesoporous TiO2 templated films as interfacial blocking layers for improving the input light transmittance and photovoltaic performance of dye sensitized and perovskite solar cells. In fact, the interfacial layers were synthesized using four types of copolymers including PSA, Brij58, P123 and F127 and their impact on the performance of dye sensitized and perovskite solar cells was examined and compared with that of traditional dense blocking layers. For the first time, we used block copolymers as structure-directing agents in interfacial templated blocking films aiming at increasing the input light transmittance and efficiency of dye sensitized and perovskite solar cells. Moreover, two types of FTO substrates, 15 Ω sq−1 with high light transmission and low conductivity, and 7 Ω sq−1 with low transmittance and high conductivity, were used in order to replace FTO glasses with higher conductivity instead of 15 Ω sq−1 glasses commonly used. Our results showed that, through replacing the blocking layer templated using the P123 copolymer with dense film, the short circuit density significantly improved from 15.89 to 21.23 mA cm−2 for the dye sensitized solar cell and from 18.72 to 24.09 mA cm−2 for the perovskite solar cell due to the striking increase in light transmittance. Also, introduction of the P123 templated interfacial layer presents conversion efficiency enhancement by 33% and 16% in the dye sensitized solar cell and perovskite solar cell, respectively.