Modeling of dye-sensitized titanium dioxide solar cells

The system TiO₂–photo sensitive dye of a dye-sensitized TiO₂ solar cell is numerically simulated. The steady-state numerical model used is based on the continuity and transport equations for all charge species involved in the system, in connection to Poisson’s equation. The dependence of both electron diffusion coefficient and light absorbance upon TiO₂ porosity is taken into consideration. The resulting electron density after illumination is also set as a function of the illuminating beam characteristics and material properties. Furthermore, an effective dielectric constant dependent upon the porosity of TiO₂ is used in the model. Results for different values of pore size and thickness of the TiO₂ electrode are found in accordance with results reported in the literature. Paper presented at the 11th EuroConference on the Science and Technology of Ionics, Batz-sur-Mer, Sept. 9–15, 2007. An erratum to this article can be found at