Application of Anodic Titanium Oxide to Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cells were fabricated using anodized titanium oxide. An aqueous solution of 0.5 wt % HF was used for the electrolyte and platinum plate was used for the counter electrode in the anodizing process at a voltage of 20 V. We obtained well-arranged titanium oxide nanotubes with diameters of 80-150 nm. The anodic titanium was coated with the dye (Ruthenium 535 bis-TBA). A dye-sensitized solar cell was fabricated with lodolyte PMI-50 (Solaronix™) as the electrolyte and a Pt (200 nm)/ Ti (50 nm)/ glass substrate as the counter electrode. The short circuit current (I SC ), open circuit voltage (V oc ), fill factor (FF) and energy conversion efficiency of this cell were 0.54 mA/cm 2 , 0.103 V, 39 % and 0.0022%, respectively. When a current density of 2.0x10 -3 mA/cm 2 was applied to the titanium oxide electrode, the I sc , V oc , FF and energy conversion efficiency were 0.24 mA/cm 2 , 0.675 V, 30 % and 0.050 %, respectively. When the cells were coated with the dye and current was applied, the I sc , V oc , FF and energy conversion efficiency were 0.88 mA/cm 2 , 0.54 V, 24 % and 0.11 %, respectively.