Preparation of the scattering layer based on SnO₂ nanocrystals for dye sensitized solar cell application

Abstract In this work, SnO 2 paste was prepared based on (0.1 and 0.12 g) of SnO 2 nanoparticles. The SnO 2 film was deposited using Screen printing and doctor blade techniques, which it employed as scattering layer in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC). The crystal structure, morphology, and thermal stability of the paste were investigated using XRD, FE-SEM, and TGA techniques. The DSSC parameters were achieved to examining the effect of scattering layer on performance of DSSC. The results showed a crystalline structure predominantly composed of rutile SnO 2 crystals arranged in a tetragonal pattern, with individual crystallites measuring approximately 100 nanometers in size. SEM images depicted the surface of SnO 2 resembling a sponge with fine pores facilitating dye adsorption and electron mobility. Moreover, a decrease in average particle size was observed with increasing dye concentration, with the average grain size of SnO 2 particles being below 100 nanometers at lower dye concentrations. TGA measurements indicated a phase transition occurring around 400 °C.