Abstract

The structural, electrical, optical, and photovoltaic properties of aggregated submicron nitrogen-doped TiO2 particles (NTiO2) and the influence of utilizing them, in comparison with undoped ones, as the light-scattering layer of dye-sensitized solar cells were investigated. Field emission scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, and diffuse reflectance spectra showed that both type samples have similar morphology, crystal phase, and scattering feature. Moreover, photoluminescence, Mott–Schottkey, and photovoltaic characteristics such as IMPS/IMVS and charge extraction analysis indicated that the NTiO2 layer is an efficient scatterer in two aspects: enhancement of light-harvesting efficiency by having submicron-size centers and modification of the electrical properties such as charge collection efficiency in photoanode. As a result, the overall conversion efficiency reached 7.34 % upon employing NTiO2 as the light-scattering layer, which is 13 % higher than undoped one. This improvement is a consequence of trap density reduction, electrons transfer enhancement in the interface of photoactive/scattering layer, and shunt resistance increment at photoelectrode/electrolyte interface.

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