Abstract
Nano-silver-titanium dioxide (Ag-TiO2) composites were prepared from commercial TiO2 (P25, Degussa) and silver nitrate (AgNO3) by gamma Co-60 irradiation method with various initial concentrations of AgNO3. The nano-AgTiO2 composites are utilized as the photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Under full sunlight illumination (1000 W/m2, AM 1.5), the efficiency of DSCs has improved significantly despite the Ag content of below 1%. The DSC—assembled with 0.75 Ag-TiO2 (0.75% Ag) photoanode—showed that the photocurrent was significantly enhanced from 8.1 mA.cm−2 to 9.5 mA.cm−2 compared to the DSCs using bared TiO2 photoanode. The unchanged open-circuit voltage resulted in the overall energy conversion efficiency to be increased by 25% from 3.75% to 4.86%. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis showed that the charge transfer resistance is reduced when increasing Ag content, demonstrating that the charge transfer at TiO2/dye interface was enhanced in the presence of silver nanoparticles.
Highlights
Research and application of new energy resources are essential approaches to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and solar energy is considered one of the feasible solutions to solve the world’s energy crisis
Study incorporation of Ag nanoparticles onto TiO2 surface showed that the coupling of semiconductor and metal nanoparticles might yield a photoinduced electron transfer across the interface, which in turn may lead to the increased energy conversion efficiency of Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) [11, 15,16,17]
The role of Ag on the photoperformance of DSCs were investigated by the current-voltage method and the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
Summary
Research and application of new energy resources are essential approaches to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and solar energy is considered one of the feasible solutions to solve the world’s energy crisis. The DSCs showed efficient solar energy-to-electricity conversion of 10% [1, 6]. Many approaches have been studied to alternately improve the conversion efficiency of DSCs, including researching the novel counter electrode, electrolytes, dyes, and semiconductor photoanode materials. Study incorporation of Ag nanoparticles onto TiO2 surface showed that the coupling of semiconductor and metal nanoparticles might yield a photoinduced electron transfer across the interface, which in turn may lead to the increased energy conversion efficiency of DSCs [11, 15,16,17]. Gamma irradiation has been well known as an effective method due to its simple preparation, massive produce, high efficiency, and ecofriendliness [14, 16, 21]. The role of Ag on the photoperformance of DSCs were investigated by the current-voltage method and the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
