Effect of Nb-doped TiO2 photoanode using solid state method with E. conferta as sensitizer on the performance of dye sensitized solar cell

Abstract

A series of Nb-doped TiO2 (0–2.5wt% of Nb) were synthesized via solid state technique and used for the development of photoanodes in dye–sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The X-ray diffraction patterns of the Nb-doped TiO2was almost similar to a complete anatase of pure TiO2with no Nb2O5 peaks observed. The absorption spectrum indicated a decrease in the energy band gap with increasing Nb concentrations which enhanced the properties of the DSSC. The results showed that the Nb-doped TiO2 as photoanode and Eleiodoxa conferta (E. conferta)- as natural sensitizers showed a maximum conversion efficiency. The findings showed that 1.4% TiO2 doped with 1.0wt% of Nb was 75% higher than undoped TiO2 (0.8%) for energy conversion efficiency. The increase in energy conversion efficiency was due to increment in JSC and VOC which is related to the enhancement of electron injection and improvement of electron conductivity.