Preparation and characterization of compact TiO2 film used in Grǎtzelsolar cells

We report for the first time the preparation method of compact TiO2 film using titanium butoxide-petroleum ether solution, by means of dipping and sintering. Our estimation of the component of this thin film was confirmed by XPS test. Studies of AFM showed the influence of preparation condition upon surface morphology. The transmitted spectrum of this compact TiO2 film was also investigated, which presented an excellent transmittance of this film in the visible light region. We arrive at a conclusion,according to the I-V characteristics of solid-state Grǎitzel solar cells utilizing this kind of compact film, that this compact TiO2 film functions well in secluding the conducting substrate from the hole-conducting material.