Effects of the morphology and diameter of TiO2 nanofibers as light-scattering layers on the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

In this study, TiO2 nanofibers was synthesized using electrospinning method with varying applied voltage (10 kV–20 kV) to obtain high surface-volume ratio and porous material. As the applied voltage increased, diameter of TiO2 nanofibers decreased and the presence of beads disappeared resulting in homogeneous nanofibers. At applied voltage higher than 16 kV, TiO2 nanofibers have diameter less than 100 nm. TiO2 nanofibers are deposited on top of TiO2 nanoparticles which act as a light-scattering layer. Based on the I–V characteristic, TiO2 nanofibers produced by applied voltage of 18 kV gives the highest efficiency of 2.38% with JSC 6.37 mA cm−2, VOC of 0.74 V and fill factor of 50.54%. Adding the TiO2 nanofibers as light-scattering layer improve and extend the path of light, thereby increasing the power conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells.