Extending spectrum response of squaraine-sensitized solar cell by Förster resonance energy transfer

To extend the spectral response region of squaraine dye (SQ)-sensitized solar cell, eosin Y (EY) is encapsulated in the SQ-sensitized nanocrystalline thin film. EY is first adsorbed on nanocrystalline TiO₂ thin film (n-TiO₂), then a thin layer of EY contained ZnO (EY-ZnO) is electrodeposited, and SQ dye is finally sensitized to form two dye-sensitized nanocrystalline thin film with a structure of n-TiO₂/EY/EY-ZnO/SQ. There is a perfect spectral overlap between the emission of EY and the absorption of SQ; EY as an energy donor simultaneously transfers both electron and hole to the energy acceptor SQ according to the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) process. EY shifts the spectral response edge of SQ-sensitized solar cell toward blue from 550 to 450 nm through the FRET process in this new structure. Two dye-sensitized nanocrystalline thin film demonstrates a significant enhancement in light harvesting and photocurrent generation due to the FRET process. The thickness of the EY-ZnO thin layer and spectral overlap between emission of donor dye and absorption of acceptor dye are two important factors that affect the FRET process between EY and SQ in the structure of n-TiO₂/EY/EY-ZnO/SQ.     

Double-Layer TiO2 Electrodes with Controlled Phase Composition and Morphology for Efficient Light Management in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

The light-scattering effect in the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) was studied by controlling TiO₂ phase composition and morphology by fabrication of double-layer cells with different arrangement modes. The starting material for preparation of TiO₂ cells was synthesized by an aqueous sol–gel process. X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopic analyses revealed that TiO₂ nanoparticles had particle size ranging between 18 and 44 nm. The optical property and band gap energy of TiO₂ nanoparticles were studied through UV–Vis absorption. The indirect optical band gap energy of anatase and rutile nanoparticles was found to be 3.47 and 3.41 eV, respectively. The double-layer DSC made of nanostructured TiO₂ film with phase composition of 78 % anatase and 22 % rutile as the under-layer and mixtures of anatase-nanoparticles and anatase-microparticles as the over-layer (i.e., NM solar cell) was shown the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.04 % and open circuit voltage of 795 mV. This was achieved due to the optimal balance between the light scattering effect and dye sensitization parameters. Optimum light scattering of photoanode led to improve the PCE of NM double-layer solar cell which was demonstrated by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.     

Enhanced photovoltaic characterization and charge transport of TIO2 nanoparticles/nanotubes composite photoanode based on indigo carmine dye-sensitized solar cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have established themselves as an alternative to conventional solar cells owing to their remarkably high power conversion efficiency, longtime stability and low-cost production. DSSCs composed of a dyed oxide semiconductor photoanode, a redox electrolyte and a counter electrode. In these devices, conversion efficiency is achieved by ultra-fast injection of an electron from a photo excited dye into the conduction band of metal oxide followed by subsequent dye regeneration and holes transportation to the counter electrode. The energy conversion efficiency of DSSC is to be dependent on the morphology and structure of the dye adsorbed metal oxide photoanode. Worldwide considerable efforts of DSSCs have been invested in morphology control of photoanode film, synthesis of stable optical sensitizers and improved ionic conductivity electrolytes. In the present investigation, a new composite nano structured photoanodes were prepared using TiO₂ nano tubes (TNTs) with TiO₂ nano particles (TNPs). TNPs were synthesized by sol–gel method and TNTs were prepared through an alkali hydrothermal transformation. Working photoanodes were prepared using five pastes of TNTs concentrations of 0, 10, 50, 90, and 100 % with TNPs. The DSSCs were fabricated using Indigo carmine dye as photo sensitizer and PMII (1-propyl-3-methylimmidazolium iodide) ionic liquid as electrolyte. The counter electrode was prepared using Copper sulfide. The structure and morphology of TNPs and TNTs were characterized by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopes (TEM and SEM). The photocurrent efficiency is measured using a solar simulator (100 mW/cm²). The prepared composite TNTs/TNPs photoanode could significantly improve the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells owing to its synergic effects, i.e. effective dye adsorption mainly originated from TiO₂ nanoparticles and rapid electron transport in one-dimensional TiO₂ nanotubes. The results of the present investigation suggested that the DSSC based on 10 % TNTs/TNPs showed better photovoltaic performance than cell made pure TiO₂ nanoparticles. The highest energy-conversion efficiency of 2.80 % is achieved by composite TNTs (10 %)/TNPs film, which is 68 % higher than that pure TNPs film and far larger than that formed by bare TNTs film (94 %). The charge transport and charge recombination behaviors of DSSCs were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectra and the results showed that composite TNTs/TNPs film-based cell possessed the lowest transfer resistances and the longest electron lifetime. Hence, it could be concluded that the composite TNTs/TNPs photoanodes facilitate the charge transport and enhancing the efficiencies of DSSCs.     

Effect of single-wall carbon nanotubes on the properties of polymeric gel electrolyte dye-sensitized solar cells

A hybrid of polymer/dispersed single-wall carbon nanotubes was utilized in networking a novel composition of gel electrolyte in dye-sensitized solar cells. The gel is composed of polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, single-wall carbon nanotubes, and I^?/I₃ ^? as electrolyte. Formation of the less conductive polyiodide species in electrolyte was prohibited by the addition of single-wall carbon nanotubes leading to the excellent photovoltaic behavior of the cell under simulated standard illumination of the fabricated device owing to the increased open circuit voltage (0.47 V). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was employed to quantify the charge transport resistance and the electron lifetime at the TiO₂ conduction band. Charge transport resistances at the TiO₂/dye/electrolyte interface were determined for the cells consisting of the non-gel reference and our new gel electrolytes, and it was indicated that the charge recombination between injected electrons and electron acceptors (I₃ ^?) in the redox electrolyte was remarkably retarded. Electrochemical parameters obtained by the fitting showed all of the resistances increased as compared to liquid electrolyte dye-sensitized solar cells that can be related to the increase in viscosity of the gel, which hinders the ionic transportation through the electrolyte. These results were also confirmed by the electron lifetime analyses. The characteristic peak shifted to a lower frequency in the Bode phase plot for the cell containing gel electrolyte which is an indication of a longer electron lifetime in comparison with that of the cell containing very conventional liquid electrolyte.     

Synthesis and electrorheology of rod-like titanium oxide particles prepared via microwave-assisted molten-salt method

The rod-like titanium dioxide (TiO₂) particles were synthesized by a simple and rapid microwave-assisted molten-salt method. The X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the phase composition transformation from the anatase phase of original TiO₂ nanomaterial to the rutile phase of high crystallinity. Scanning electron microscopy proved the conversion of originally globular particles of original anatase TiO₂ sized from 200 to 500 nm into rods with a length of 5–10 μm and a diameter between 0.5 and 2 μm. The electrorheological (ER) measurements performed under steady-state flow as a function of the applied electric field strength and particle concentration showed that suspended rutile rod-like TiO₂ particle-based fluid exhibits much higher ER activity than that of original anatase TiO₂ material powder. These observations were clearly demonstrated by viewing their dielectric spectra analyses.     

Dipolar Compounds Containing Fluorene and a Heteroaromatic Ring as the Conjugating Bridge for High‐Performance Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

A novel series of dipolar organic dyes containing diarylamine as the electron donor, 2‐cyanoacrylic acid as the electron acceptor, and fluorene and a heteroaromatic ring as the conjugating bridge have been developed and characterized. These metal‐free dyes exhibited very high molar extinction coefficients in the electronic absorption spectra and have been successfully fabricated as efficient nanocrystalline TiO₂ dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The solar‐energy‐to‐electricity conversion efficiencies of DSSCs ranged from 4.92 to 6.88 %, which reached 68–96 % of a standard device of N719 fabricated and measured under the same conditions. With a TiO₂ film thickness of 6 μm, DSSCs based on these dyes had photocurrents surpassing that of the N719‐based device. DFT computation results on these dyes also provide detailed structural information in connection with their high cell performance.     

Particle size effects of carbon sources on electrochemical properties of LiFePO<Subscript>4</Subscript>/C composites

Carbon-coated LiFePO₄ cathode materials were prepared by a solid-state method incorporating different sizes of polystyrene (PS) spheres as carbon sources. In scanning electron microscope images, small PS spheres appear more effective at preventing aggregation of LiFePO₄ particles. From transmission electron microscopy images, it was found that the LiFePO₄ particles were completely uniformly coated with 5-nm carbon layer when the carbon source was 0.22 μm PS spheres. When the size of PS sphere was increased to 2.75 μm, a network of carbon was formed and wrapped around the LiFePO₄ to create a conductive web. Raman spectroscopy and four-point probe conductivity measurement showed that using larger sizes of PS spheres as carbon sources leads to greater conductivity of LiFePO₄/C. The LiFePO₄ precursor sintered with 0.22 μm PS spheres delivered an initial discharge capacity of 145 mAh g^?1 at a 0.2 C rate, but it only sustained 289 cycles at 80% capacity. When the diameter of PS spheres was increased to 2.75 μm, the discharge capacity of LiFePO₄/C decreased, but the cycle life reached 755 cycles, the highest number in this work probably due to the network formation of carbon wrapping around LiFePO₄ particles.     

Preparation of nanocrystalline TiO2 thin film at low temperature and its application in dye-sensitized solar cell

The electrophoretic deposition combined with common pressure hydrothermal treatment was employed to prepare nanocrystalline TiO₂ thin film from suspension of tetra-n-butyl titanate and P25 at low temperature. The tetra-n-butyl titanate was hydrolyzed and crystallized into anatase to interconnect nanocrystalline TiO₂ particles and to stick them to a conductive substrate by common pressure hydrothermal treatment to improve the electron transport properties of the deposited thin film. A dye-sensitized solar cell based on TiO₂ thin film prepared by the low temperature method yielded the conversion efficiency of 6.12%. Due to the relative slower electron transport rate in the deposited film, its conversion efficiency was slightly lower than that of the cell with TiO₂ thin film prepared by the conventional high temperature sintering method. Since it is free of high temperature sintering step, this method can be used to prepare nanocrystalline TiO₂ thin film on plastic polymer conductive substrate for fabrication of flexible dye-sensitized solar cell.     

Improvement of dye-sensitized solar cell performance through electrodepositing a close-packed TiO2 film

A simple electrodepositing method was proposed for fabricating a uniform, tight, and close-packed TiO₂ nanocrystalline film on the ITO substrate. The electrode and dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) with electrodeposited TiO₂ layer were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The phthalocyanin dye, zinc tetra-carboxyl phthalocyanin complex, was used as a model dye to evaluate the influence of close-packed TiO₂ blocking layer on the photocurrent–voltage property. On the electrodeposition, the close-packed TiO₂ layer could effectively inhibit the recombination of charges, and therefore improve the performances of the corresponding cells. The effects of film thickness on light transmittance and photocurrent density of the corresponding cell were also demonstrated. The optimum film thickness was found to be approximately 400 nm. At the optimum thickness, the photocurrent density greatly increased comparing with that of the screen printing TiO₂ film. These results imply that our proposition was a potential and feasible method for the fabrication of DSSC practically.     

The Influence of Charge Transport and Recombination on the Performance of Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and transient voltage decay measurements are applied to compare the performance of dye sensitized solar cells (DSCs) using organic electrolytes, ionic liquids and organic‐hole conductors as hole transport materials (HTM). Nano‐crystalline titania films sensitized by the same heteroleptic ruthenium complex NaRu(4‐carboxylic acid‐4′‐carboxylate) (4,4′‐dinonyl‐2,2′‐bipyridyl)(NCS)₂ , coded Z‐907Na are employed as working electrodes. The influence of the nature of the HTM on the photovoltaic figures of merit, that is, the open circuit voltage, short circuit photocurrent and fill factor is evaluated. In order to derive the electron lifetime, as well as the electron diffusion coefficient and charge collection efficiency, EIS measurements are performed in the dark and under illumination corresponding to realistic photovoltaic operating conditions of these mesoscopic solar cells. A theoretical model is established to interpret the frequency response off the impedance under open circuit conditions, which is conceptually similar to photovoltage transient decay measurements. Important information on factors that govern the dynamics of electron transport within the nanocrystalline TiO₂ film and charge recombination across the dye sensitized heterojunction is obtained.     

Effects of water-based gel electrolyte on the charge recombination and performance of dye-sensitized solar cells

A new water-based solution of ion-conductive polymeric gel electrolyte composed of polyethylene glycol and polyvinylpyrrolidone as gel-forming substances, I^?/I₃ ^? as reversible redox couple, and various ratios of acetonitrile/water solvents was prepared and used in the fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cells. The effects of water on the electrochemical behavior of the prepared electrolyte solutions were examined by the cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was employed to quantify the charge-transfer resistance and the electron lifetime at the TiO₂ conduction band. The characteristic peak shifted to a lower frequency in the Bode phase plot, which is an indication of a longer electron lifetime for the cell containing more water content. Photovoltaic performance of the cells prepared by the new water-based gel electrolyte was studied. Changes in the current density–voltage (J–V) characteristics can be explained based on the effect of water on the energetics and kinetics of charge transport and charge recombination in the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). It was observed that the increase in open-circuit voltage (V _oc) and fill factor and decrease in J _SC were noticeable for cells containing water-based gel electrolyte. It was indicated that the charge recombination between injected electrons and electron acceptors (polyiodide) in the redox electrolyte was remarkably inhibited by the increase of water. The photovoltaic performance stability of the DSSC containing gel electrolyte solution including 50 wt% of water was examined, and it was shown that it is more stable than conventional cells considerably for 168 h. Energy conversion efficiency of 2.30 % was achieved, under illumination with a simulated solar light of 100 mW cm^?2.     

染料敏化纳米太阳能电池

本文介绍了染料敏化纳米太阳能电池的结构和原理,对纳米TiO₂膜、敏化染料、空穴传输材料的研究进展进行了综述.     

Room temperature ferromagnetism in Mn-doped ZnS nanocrystalline thin films grown by sol–gel dip coating process

Nanocrystalline Zn_1?xMn_xS (x = 0.00, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.05, and 0.1) thin films having different Mn content were grown by the sol–gel dip coating process. The effect of Mn content on the structural, optical and magnetic properties of Zn_1?xMn_xS nanocrystalline thin films were investigated. X-ray diffraction results showed the presence of single hexagonal phase corresponding to ZnS with a preferred orientation along the ZnS (002) hexagonal plane direction without any detectable secondary phase, suggesting the incorporation of Mn ions into the ZnS lattice. Scanning electron microscope revealed the surface of the nanocrystalline films to be homogeneous and dense and the grains of the film surface were randomly scattered. In ultraviolet–visible measurements, the band gap energy corresponding to the absorption edge estimated were found to be 3.59–3.23 eV depending on the Mn doping ratio. Magnetic measurements showed that a paramagnetic behavior at 5 K and ferromagnetic behavior at 300 K.     

Improved efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells by design of a proper double layer photoanode electrodes composed of Cr-doped TiO2 transparent and light scattering layers

A new strategy for enhancing the efficiency of TiO₂ dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) by design of a new double layer film doped with Cr ions, with various morphologies, is reported. X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) analyses revealed that the synthesized nanoparticles had uniform and nanometer grains with different phase compositions and average crystallite size in the range of 10–12 nm depending upon Cr atomic percentage. UV–vis absorption showed that Cr introduction enhanced the visible light absorption of TiO₂ nanoparticles by shifting the absorption onset to visible light region. Furthermore, the band gap energy of nanoparticles decreased with an increase in dopant concentration due to reduction of particle size. It was found that, 3 at.% Cr-doped TiO₂ DSSC in the form of a double-layer film composed of TiO₂ nanoparticles, as the under-layer, and mixtures of nano- and micro-particles with weight ratio of 80:20, as the over-layer, (i.e., CT3/NM3 solar cell) had the highest power conversion efficiency of 7.02 %, short current density of 17.32 mA/cm² and open circuit voltage of 674 mV. This can be related to achievement of a balance among the electron injection, light scattering effect and dye sensitization parameters. Optimization of light scattering effect of photoanode electrode led to improve the photovoltaic performance of CT3/NM3 double-layer solar cell and was demonstrated by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The presented strategy would open up new insight into fabrication of low-cost TiO₂ DSSCs with high power conversion efficiency.     

Channeling Exciton Migration into Electron Transfer in Formamidinium Lead Bromide Perovskite Nanocrystal/Fullerene Composites

Hydrophobically capped nanocrystals of formamidinium lead bromide (FAPbBr₃) perovskite (PNC) show bright and stable fluorescence in solution and thin‐film states. When compared with isolated PNCs in a solution, close‐packed PNCs in a thin film show extended fluorescence lifetime (ca. 4.2 μs), which is due to hopping or migration of photogenerated excitons among PNCs. Both fluorescence quantum efficiency and lifetime decrease in a PNC thin film doped with fullerene (C₆₀), which is attributed to channeling of exciton migration into electron transfer to C₆₀. On the other hand, quenching of fluorescence intensity of a PNC solution is not accompanied by any change in fluorescence lifetime, indicating static electron transfer to C₆₀ adsorbed onto the hydrophobic surface of individual PNCs. Exciton migration among close‐packed PNCs and electron transfer to C₆₀ places C₆₀‐doped PNC thin films among cost‐effective antenna systems for solar cells.     

Electro-deposition under a modulated electrical field as an enhanced method for the preparation of an efficient photoanode of dye-sensitized solar cells

This paper describes an application of a new electro-deposition method in a modulated electrical field in order to have an efficient semiconductor coating on a conductive substrate. The prepared film was used as a photoanode of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Electro-deposition of nanoparticles usually was performed by applying a DC electrical field in a suspension. In the DC field, a homogeneous layer could not be performed because of unwanted electrochemical reactions that might occur on the substrate surface. Modulated electrical fields based on pulsed AC and a sweeping voltage profile were used. The photovoltaic performance of the assembled solar cells showed a significant difference between the films produced in different electrical field conditions. Under the illumination of simulated AM 1.5 sunlight (100 mW cm^?2) with an aperture black mask, the energy conversion efficiency of 2.45% (V _OC = 768 mV, J _SC = 4.74 mA cm^?2, FF = 67%) was obtained with a thin layer of TiO₂ nanoparticles deposited in a pulsed waveform voltage. A crack-free and uniform porous layer produced in this condition showed an enhancement of about seven times over the photoanode prepared using conventional DC electrical field with the same voltage amplitude. The solar cell efficiency was increased to 4.22% (V _OC = 735 mV, J _SC = 7.92 mA cm^?2, FF = 72%) by just increasing the TiO₂ film thickness and using a blocking layer beneath the semiconductor layer. Moreover, a higher electron recombination lifetime presented better electron transport and collection efficiency of the film deposited in the pulsed electrical field conditions.     

Electron dynamics dependence on optimum dye loading for an efficient dye-sensitized solar cell

Increasing surface area and optimum dye loading are among the prerequisites for an efficient TiO₂-based dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC), since they improve light harvesting but, at the same time, affect, in a variant way the electron dynamics in the semiconductor. Into this context, in this work, the interdependence of these two effects was investigated. The thermal annealing conditions of nanocrystalline titania films were modified between 400 and 550 °C in order to vary the crystallinity and the aggregation/sintering degree of the semiconductor particles. The annealing effects on the structural and surface parameters of the films were determined and the electron dynamics inside the semiconductor were elucidated. The film properties were found to correlate with the photoelectric conversion efficiencies of the corresponding DSCs in terms of light harvesting efficiency, electron transport, recombination and trapping at surface states. Despite higher dye loading, a relatively low efficiency (5.3%) was attained at the temperature of 400 °C, due to insufficient neck growth and the presence of surface states that were not removed by annealing. On the contrary, the highest efficiency (6.4%) was attained at 550 °C, where high values of electron diffusion coefficients and enhanced electron lifetimes were observed despite a significantly lower dye loading. The above results point out the significance of properly controlling both light harvesting and electron dynamics in the photoelectrode for efficient dye sensitization of a large band gap semiconductor.     

Synthesis of new dyes containing double tetrazole groups for sensitization of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticles in dye-sensitized solar cells

Di(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)methane is employed as a new electron acceptor group in the synthesis of two metal-free organic dyes containing triphenylamine donor group. Dye-sensitized nanocrystalline TiO₂ solar cell (DSSC) applying these novel dyes is constructed for consideration of their photovoltaic properties. The electronic properties of the dyes are also considered with the aid of theoretical calculations. The DSSC constructed from 4-(2,2-di(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)vinyl)-N,N-diphenylaniline (T1) shows a short-circuit photocurrent density of 13.38 mA cm^?2, an open circuit voltage of 578 mV, and a fill factor of 0.54, with a resulted solar energy-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 4.18% under simulated 1 sun irradiation (100 mW cm^?2). This result reveals that the dye with the di(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)methane anchoring group injects more electrons to the conduction band of TiO₂ in comparison with its analogs with single tetrazole ring in their anchoring group. It is found that in spite of a red-shift of the absorption spectrum resulted from the lengthening of the molecule, the dye with two di(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)methane groups gives lower performance than the dye with a single electron acceptor.     

Rapid Synthesis of Mesoporous TiO2 for the Photoanodes in Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

Mesoporous TiO₂ microspheres with high specific surface areas were synthesized by means of a facile one‐step microwave hydrothermal process without using any template. The mesoporous materials were rapidly achieved using TiCl₄, urea and ammonium sulphate at comparatively low microwave power (400 W) for 8 min irradiation. The morphology and microstructure of the as‐prepared products were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) surface area analysis. Structural characterization indicates that the TiO₂ microspheres display mesoporous structure. The average pore sizes and BET surface areas of the spheres were 5.3 nm and 222 m²g^?1, respectively. The mesoporous nanocrystals synthesized at 160 °C for 8 min were then used to prepare the photoanode for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). A high power conversion efficiency of 5.72% was achieved from the mesoporous TiO₂ based photoanode, representing about 25.7% improvement over the efficiency of P25 photoanode.     

Structural improvement of ZnO electrodes through solution-processed routes for enhancing open-circuit voltage in dye-sensitized solar cells

We report herein one of our recent studies on nanostructured ZnO electrodes for application in dye-sensitized solar cells, focusing on achieving a higher open-circuit voltage (V_OC). ZnO films were obtained through solution-processed routes including pyrolytic conversion of layered hydroxide zinc acetate (LHZA) films deposited on a fluorine-doped tin oxide-coated conducting glass substrate by a chemical bath deposition method. The morphology of the initial LHZA and the converted ZnO films was tuned from a thick (approximately 12 μm) flower bed-/lawn-like bilayer structure to a thin (1.2 μm) lawn-like quasi-monolayer structure by decreasing the Zn source concentration in the chemical bath. V_OC was found to be enhanced with this morphological change from 0.692 (the bilayer structure) to 0.735 V (the quasi-monolayer structure). Fine tuning of the quasi-monolayer structure by introducing the grain growth effect led to V_OC of the cell as high as 0.807 V, although a short-circuit photocurrent density (J_SC) remained low. Further attempts were then made to increase J_SC while maintaining the high V_OC. When the thickness of the lawn-like monolayer film was increased up to approximately 5 μm, the resultant cell showed V_OC?=?0.750 V, J_SC?=?6.20 mA cm^?2 and a conversion efficiency (η) of 2.83%. The film with a modified flower bed-/lawn-like bilayer structure approximately 11 μm in thickness finally yielded V_OC?=?0.741 V, J_SC?=?13.6 mA cm^?2, and η?=?5.44%.