Fabrication of glass-free photoelectrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) by transfer method using ZnO nanorods sacrificial layer

Glass-free TiO2 photoelectrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were prepared by a novel transfer method using sacrificial ZnO nanorods. A TiO2 layer was formed on the hydrothermally grown ZnO nanorods by conventional doctor-blading and subsequent high-temperature calcination. Afterwards, an Ag epoxy film on a PET substrate was adhered to the sintered TiO2 layer. A glass-free TiO2 photoelectrode was finally generated by selective etching of the ZnO nanorods in an acidic solution. Glass-free DSSCs were fabricated with a platinium(Pt)-coated conductive PET counter electrode, having a power conversion efficiency of 4.8% and a short-circuit current of 18.06mA/cm2. [Display omitted] •Glass-free TiO2 photoanodes was fabricated by a novel transfer method.•ZnO nanorods were utilized as a sacrificial layer for the transfer of previously sintered TiO2 film.•The TiO2 film was transferred to silver epoxy layer on PET substrate.•Glass-free dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were demonstrated with a power efficiency of 4.8%.•This method has a potential to decrease the fabrication cost per DSSC module dramatically.