The Effect of Scattering Layer on the Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using TiO2 Hollow Spheres/TiO2 Nanoparticles Films as Photoanodes.

Abstract

TiO2 hollow spheres were successfully synthesized using poly styrene as the template. Dye-sensitized solar cells are fabricated based on double-layered composite films of TiO2 nanoparticles and TiO2 hollow spheres. The photoelectric conversion performances of Dye-sensitized solar cells based on TiO2 nanoparticles/TiO2 nanoparticles, TiO2 nanoparticles/TiO2 hollow spheres and TiO2 hollow spheres/TiO2 hollow spheres double-layered films are investigated, and their photoelectric conversion efficiencies were determined to 4.52, 7.10 and 5.48%, respectively. Dye-sensitized solar cells based on double layered composite films of TiO2 nanoparticles and TiO2 hollow spheres exhibit the highest photo-electric conversion efficiency mainly due to the combined effect of two factors, the high light scattering of over-layer hollow spheres that enhance harvesting light of the Dye-sensitized solar cells and the under-layer TiO2 nanoparticle layer that ensures good electronic contact between TiO2 film and FTO conducting glass. The double layered composite TiO2 film electrodes are a promising development in enhancing the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells.