Dye sensitized solar cell based on hydrothermally synthesized TiO₂ nanotubes
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Date
2010
Authors
Akilavasan, S.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Peradeniya
Abstract
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) are promising alternative devices for conventional Silicon based photovoltaic devices. Electron transport in DSSC could be enhanced by fabricating TiO₂, nanotubes instead of TiO₂, nanoparticles. In this investigation, titania nanotubes were synthesized via hydrothermal treatment of commercially available TiO₂. powder and they were fabricated into DSSC. In DSSC, random nature of the TiO₂; nanocrystalline particle network results in electrons to recombine as they travel through the surface of the TiO₂ nanocrystalline particle network reducing the cell performance. In order to reduce the charge recombination thereby improve the cell performance, TiO₂ nanotubes can be utilized instead of TiO₂ nanocrystaline particle as they provide effective straight path way to electron transport. TiO₂ nanotubes were synthesized via hydrothermal treatment of TiO₂ (P25 Degussa) nanoparticles. Formation of nearly 10 nm diameter and average length of 200 nm TiO₂ nanotubes was confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis.TiO₂ nanotubes based working electrode was prepared on a conducting substrate (FTO/F: SnO2) by electrophoretic deposition method. Electrolyte for electrophortic deposition was prepared based on two methods namely Precipitate Method and Powder Method. TiO₂ nanotube suspension prepared by ultra sonicating the precipitate is called Precipitate Method and TiO₂ nanotube powder made by freeze drying the precipitate is called Powder Method. The electrophoretic deposition method was employed to deposit TiO₂ nanotubes onto the conducting surface using two.electrode system. The electro deposition potential and time was optimized as ~40 V for 5 minutes and ~40 V for 4 minutes for Precipitate and Powder Methods respectively at room temperature. Finally, electrodes were treated with TiCl₄ to improve the performance.
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Keywords
Chemical sciences , Solar cell