Enhanced performance of dye-sensitized solar cells aided by Sr,Cr co-doped TiO2 xerogel films made of uniform spheres

Abstract

One-pot preparation of Sr,Cr co-doped TiO2 xerogel film for boosting the short circuit current density of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) is reported. The 2.5-μm-diameter spheres are assembled from 60nm nanoparticles by a modified sol–gel method. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) shows that Sr2+ and Cr3+ ions to be well incorporated into the titania crystal lattice without forming specific strontium and chromium compositions. The crystallite size, phase composition, and band structure of the particles depend on the dopants concentration. Isolated energy levels near valence band as a result of the transition ion (i.e., Cr) introduction, in conjunction with the local lattice distortions owing to the alkaline earth ion (i.e., Sr) insertion, improves the photocatalytic activity of the prepared TiO2 spheres, enhancing the short circuit current density of the cells. The DSC co-doped with 0.075 at.% Sr and 2.5 at.% Cr (i.e., S7C25 solar cell) showed the highest power conversion efficiency of 7.89% and short circuit current density of 18.58mA/cm2 thanks to lower charge transfer resistance (2.35Ωcm2), lower electron transit time (1.26ms), and higher electron diffusion coefficient (17.1×104cm2S−1) compared to the other cells, demonstrated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The concept of simultaneously introduction of alkaline earth ions and transition ions into TiO2 lattice will open up a new insight into the fabrication of high performance DSCs.