Optimization of preparation conditions by response surface methodology for synthesis of titanium dioxide/reduced graphene oxide composite in dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

This study aimed to address the need for alternative materials in the anode layer to enhance the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The synthesis of titanium dioxide/reduced graphene oxide (TiO2/rGO) was carried out using the response surface methodology by face central composite design (RSM/FCC). This method allowed us to systematically evaluate the influence of two key factors, namely the weight percentage of precursor graphene oxide (GO wt%) and the L-ascorbic acid ratio, | on the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of DSSCs. Our research is significant because it explores the synthesis of TiO2/rGO as a novel material for the anode layer in DSSCs. This material holds promise for improving device performance due to its unique properties, such as enhanced charge transport and light harvesting capabilities. Additionally, TiO2/rGO can serve multiple functions within the DSSCs device, acting not only as a charge transport layer but also potentially as a light scattering layer to increase photon absorption. The statistical analysis revealed that the GO wt% had a more significant influence on PCE compared to the L-ascorbic acid ratio. Furthermore, our simulation results demonstrated high validity and accuracy, with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.9988 and a residual standard error of less than 5 %. The optimized DSSCs-based TiO2/rGO anode achieved a remarkable PCE of 7.12 %, representing a 29 % improvement compared to the pure TiO2-based DSSCs anode. In summary, our study highlights the importance of synthesizing TiO2/rGO as a novel material for the anode layer in DSSCs and demonstrates its potential for significantly enhancing device performance. This study emphasizes these key points more prominently in the abstract to better convey the novelty and significance of our findings.