Growth of TiO2 nanoflowers photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Directly growth of TiO2 nanoflowers on fluorine drop tin oxide (FTO) glass substrates were achieved by a one-step hydrothermal process. These TiO2 nanoflowers films are preeminent with strong adhesion, low internal resistance and large dye loading. They are beneficial for improving the photoelectric properties of DSSCs (dye sensitized solar cells). In the process of preparing TiO2 nanoflowers films, gradually increasing the dosage of tetrabutyl titanate, compact and uniform Rutile TiO2 nanoflowers layer can be achieved, the coverage of TiO2 nanoflowers increased along with it. Employ these TiO2 nanoflowers as the photoanode in DSSCs, the optimal DSSCs performed with a short-circuit current density of 5.77 mA cm−2, an open-circuit voltage of 0.65 V, fill factor of 48.66 and an energy conversion efficiency of 1.83% because of large dye loading and high light harvesting ability of the DSSCs with appropriate tetrabutyl titanate and reaction temperature. Excessive or insufficient tetrabutyl titanate, or lower reaction temperature will endanger the performance of DSSCs.