Influence of FTO glass cleaning on DSSC performance

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are under investigation in diverse research groups, working with a broad variety of dyes and several electrolytes and semiconductors. In typical laboratory experiments, DSSCs are often built using glasses pre-coated with fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) to make them conductive. Comparing papers from different groups, these FTO glasses are cleaned before use by different solvents. Unexpectedly, our recent study showed that the choice of this solvent influences the efficiency gained with a DSSC as well as its longevity. Comparing cells prepared with uncleaned FTO glasses and with glasses cleaned with water, acetone, isopropanol or ethanol, showed highest efficiencies for the uncleaned glasses, while cleaning with acetone or ethanol resulted in reduced efficiency or longevity.