OPTIMIZING ELECTRON DIFFUSION, TEMPERATURE, AND PHOTOANODE THICKNESS FOR ENHANCED PHOTOVOLTAIC EFFICIENCY IN TiO₂/CuS DYE-SENSITIZED SOLAR CELLS (DSSCs)

This study addresses a critical gap in optimizing electron diffusion, operational temperature, and photoanode thickness to enhance the photovoltaic efficiency of TiO₂/CuS-doped dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). While previous studies have investigated individual parameters affecting DSSC performance, limited research examines their combined effects on charge transport and recombination rates. Through computational modeling, we evaluated photoanode thicknesses from 1 µm to 100 µm and operational temperatures from 260 K to 350 K, analyzing their influence on electron mobility, recombination rates, and overall efficiency. Results show that the electron diffusion coefficient increases with temperature, reaching a maximum of 1.626 × 10⁻⁶ cm²/s at 350 K, thereby enhancing electron transport and reducing recombination losses. An optimal photoanode thickness of 3 µm was identified, yielding the highest efficiency of 17.28% across the temperature range. Efficiency declines at thicknesses exceeding 3 µm due to extended electron diffusion paths and higher recombination rates. These findings underscore the importance of balancing temperature and structural parameters to improve charge transport and minimize losses, particularly for DSSC applications in warm environments.