An interdisciplinary experience on the development of Dye-Cell technology

Abstract

Under a special program supported by the University of São Paulo (USP) for the development of strategic fields of research, interdisciplinar discussion on the development of photovoltaics and energy technology has been established. Several aspects concerned to solar energy and PV technology were discussed in regular meetings along a year by professionals of different domains. As a result of the program, a collaborative work on the deposition ofTiO2films employed in photoelectrochemical solar cells has been established between theLaboratory of Inorganic Photochemistry and Energy Conversionat the IQ-USP and other research groups.Preparation ofTiO2emulsions from distinct methods were performed and compared. Spin-coating and painting techniques have been employed for the deposition ofTiO2films over TCO substrates. Both techniques resulted in transparent homogeneousTiO2films which were successfully used as dye-sensitized photoanodes in solar cells. The results show that thin-film properties, such as thickness and transparency, can be controlled through the deposition technique and that photoelectrochemical measurements carried out by our group have been performed under appropriate film deposition conditions.This experience shows also that different institutions, with distinct purposes, can interact and work together to prepare qualified professionals for many areas of modern science and technology.