Abstract
Hierarchically structured aggregates, consisting of TiO2 nanoparticles were produced via one-step solvothermal syntheses with a mixed solvent system containing both acetic acid and ethanol. Two of the resulting structures, one ~700 nm and the other ~300 nm in diameter, were found to be comprised of 8.5 nm and 10.5 nm anatase crystals, and possess specific surface areas of 138 and 106 m2 g−1 respectively. These particles were incorporated into Dye-sensitized Solar Cells (DSCs) as high surface area scattering layers, along with a layer of a transparent material. Solar-to-electric conversion efficiencies (PCE) of 9.1% and 8.2% were recorded using these aggregated particles as compared to those of commonly used large particles scattering layer 7.4%.
Highlights
Since the breakthrough report by O’Regan and Gratzel in 1991, Dye-sensitized Solar Cells (DSCs) have attracted a great deal of research attention, due to their anticipated low-cost, simple manufacturing processes and promising photocurrent conversion efficiency[1,2,3,4]
We report a new and facile one-step solvothermal approach using titanium isopropoxide (TTIP) as a precursor in a solvent mixture containing acetic acid (AA) and ethanol (EtOH)
The morphologies and internal structures of the aggregated particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
Summary
Kadhim Al-Attafi[1,2], Andrew Nattestad 3,YusukeYamauchi[1,4], Shi Xue Dou1 & Jung Ho Kim[1]. Meta-analysis shows that over 40% of research towards enhancing DSC performance has looked at modifying or developing an efficient photoanode nanostructure[6, 10,11,12] In these studies it has been established that materials for efficient photoanodes should have (1) a large surface area to facilitate high dye loading, leading to high light harvesting efficiency, (2) have a well-connected network of pores for electrolyte diffusion[13], (3) facilitate electron transfer (4) have a minimum of defects (both surface and bulk), including those formed at grain boundaries, to limit charge recombination energy losses[14]. We report a new and facile one-step solvothermal approach using titanium isopropoxide (TTIP) as a precursor in a solvent mixture containing acetic acid (AA) and ethanol (EtOH) We investigate their performance in DSCs, which is enhanced as compared to the commonly used, commercially available, light scatting layer (WER2-O). This is explained in terms of high surface area and relatively high light scattering, along with efficient electrolyte penetration through the highly interconnected mesoporous structure
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