Enhanced performance of reversely transferred, doubly open-ended TiO2 nanotube arrays for front-illuminated dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Doubly open-ended conventional TiO2 nanotube arrays (Type I) and nanoporous-layer-covered nanotube arrays (Type II) were transferred to transparent fluorine-doped tin oxides (FTOs) for front-illuminated dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). FTO/Type II exhibited a long electron lifetime (τe) and rapid electron transport compared to FTO/Type I because of the reduced surface defect-state-mediated recombination rate. In particular, Type II transferred reversely to the FTO (FTO/Type II-rev) had beneficial geometric effects, leading to a decrease in pore size from the bottom to the top and a nanoporous TiO2 thin bottom layer. These enabled more effective light scattering near the FTO and facilitated lateral electron movement toward the FTO, leading to a shortened electron pathway and a reduced recombination rate. The significantly enhanced electron lifetime and the shortened electron transit time of the FTO/Type II-rev improved the charge collection efficiency significantly. Furthermore, the enhanced light scattering increased the light harvesting efficiency. These beneficial geometric effects of FTO/Type II-rev contributed to the greatly enhanced overall cell efficiency (7.61%) of the DSSC compared to the DSSCs with FTO/Type I (5.27%) and FTO/Type II (6.65%).