Interferometric study of microchamber in large area dye solar cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) have a typical sandwich structure, with the active layers between two conductive glass sheets. Their co-planarity could be an issue in the mass production of large area devices. The micrometric gap should be uniform all over the device, in order to maintain a good electrolyte layer. The frames of sealant, which isolate the adjacent cells in a module, usually work also as spacers. Nevertheless, the uniformity of the gap is not commonly tested in a systematic way. Here large area empty blanks and full DSCs were studied by means of optical interferometry, i.e., monochromatic surface scan and wavelength scan. The collected fringe patterns allowed retrieval of the microchamber's absolute profile. In some cases, evident U-shaped bending was found, with edge-to-center variation up to Delta h/h approximate to 80%. Interestingly, despite the large absorption and the weak index contrast in the full DSCs, a good fringes' visibility was achieved, by adopting near-infrared (IR) laser source and filtering off external reflections. Moreover, the IR n and k indexes of porous titania dyed and filled with electrolyte were retrieved. In summary, the results show that the bending effect must always be tackled for large area, by using the right sealing frames and thermal treatments. Further improved IR interferometry can be successfully implemented for in-line testing of DSCs structure and uniformity. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.