Shock induced TiO2 nanoparticles and its synergistic effect in photovoltic application

Abstract

Among various photoanode material TiO2 is extensively recognized by the researchers and hence forward in this investigation, we study the consequence of inducing shock waves on Titanium dioxide nanoparticles and its effective performance in dye sensitized solar cells. The crystallinity was studied using X-ray diffraction, the crystalline size was found to decrease with increase in shock numbers, which intended further to portentous optical response in dye sensitized solar cell. The photoanodes were sensitized with Ruthenium dye and the extended absorption in the photoanodes were observed using UV spectral analysis. Photovoltaic performances of the fabricated cell were examined by determining the J-V curves beneath 1 sun illumination (AM1.5 G, 100 mWcm−2). The highest efficiency (3.6%) was determined for a sample which were loaded with 250 shocks due its highest conversion efficiency with open-circuit photo voltage of 0.675 V, enhanced short-circuit current density of 7.325 mA cm−2 and fill factor of 0.711. The enhanced photovoltaic performance of the DSSC dependents on shock induced conditions of phase as well as on their improved crystalline nature. The charge-transfer kinetics of the fabricated cells were studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results revealed that TiO2 nanoparticles with 250 shocks acts as an effective electron collector. A suitable enclosure of shock to TiO2 nanoparticles is the key to the decrease of crystallite size, augmented surface area, foremost loading of dye, improved Jsc (short current density) which intended enhances the power conversion efficiency. The significant performance is ascribed to a prodigious accretion of the light injected carriers to slow down the course of recombination which is one of the reasons aimed to wide electron period, which fallouts to a higher open-circuit voltage and current density.