Abstract
In this study, we used the electrochemical anodization to prepare TiO2 nanotube arrays and applied them on the photoelectrode of dye-sensitized solar cells. In the field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis, the lengths of TiO2 nanotube arrays prepared by electrochemical anodization can be obtained with approximately 10 to 30 μm. After titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) treatment, the walls of TiO2 nanotubes were coated with TiO2 nanoparticles. XRD patterns showed that the oxygen-annealed TiO2 nanotubes have a better anatase phase. The conversion efficiency with different lengths of TiO2 nanotube photoelectrodes is 3.21%, 4.35%, and 4.34% with 10, 20, and 30 μm, respectively. After TiCl4 treatment, the efficiency of TiO2 nanotube photoelectrode for dye-sensitized solar cell can be improved up to 6.58%. In the analysis of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the value of Rk (charge transfer resistance related to recombination of electrons) decreases from 26.1 to 17.4 Ω when TiO2 nanotubes were treated with TiCl4. These results indicate that TiO2 nanotubes treated with TiCl4 can increase the surface area of TiO2 nanotubes, resulting in the increase of dye adsorption and have great help for the increase of the conversion efficiency of DSSCs.
Highlights
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have received considerable attention lately because they are cost-effective and environmentally friendly with efficiencies comparable to those of the traditional silicon-based cells [1]
Granular titanium dioxide powder is commonly used in dye-sensitized solar cell light anode structure
After the samples were treated with Titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4), the walls of TiO2 nanotubes were coated with TiO2 nanoparticles, which could increase the surface area of TiO2
Summary
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have received considerable attention lately because they are cost-effective and environmentally friendly with efficiencies comparable to those of the traditional silicon-based cells [1]. Granular titanium dioxide powder is commonly used in dye-sensitized solar cell light anode structure. The sol– gel method is used to produce porous film structure, but small pores form between particles of the transmission path of clutter, resulting in a more dye adsorption capacity and low clutter of electron transfer path. The path is too long and will make the leakage current and the probability of electron recombination, affecting the overall conversion efficiency of solar cells. The titanium dioxide nano-tubular structure of high surface area and large aspect ratio can be beneficial to the dye adsorption, and more rules of order can be reduced when the electron and hole in the transmission probability of
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