Electrochemical analysis of transparent oxide-less photovoltaic cell with perforation patterned metal substrate

In terms of electrochemical behaviour, a transparent conductive oxide (TCO)-less dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) with two metal foils was compared with those of a metal foil-based DSSC with a TCO-coated substrate. By virtue of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, intensity modulated photocurrent spectroscopy, intensity modulated photovoltage spectroscopy, open-circuit voltage decay, and photocurrent transient measurements, it was clearly confirmed that the limited performance of the TCO-less DSSC was caused by the restricted transport of ion species in the electrolyte due to the perforation patterned metal foil.