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Improved efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells aided by corn-like TiO2 nanowires as the light scattering layer

Bakhshayesh, A. M ; Sharif University of Technology | 2013

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  1. Type of Document: Article
  2. DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2012.12.065
  3. Publisher: 2013
  4. Abstract:
  5. We present a new TiO2 morphology, featuring highly crystalline anatase structure, synthesized by a two consecutive hydrothermal operation for the manufacture of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). This construct is a one-dimensional (1D) nanostructure (i.e., nanowire) with interconnected nanoparticles on the surface with a large percentage of reactive facets, so called corn-like nanowire. Such morphology is produced by a surface modification concept using surface tension stress mechanism. The double layer DSSC made of anatase-TiO2 nanoparticles as the under-layer and corn-like TiO 2 nanowires as the over-layer (as light scattering layer) shows higher conversion efficiency of 7.11% and short circuit current density of 16.54 mA/cm2 than that of containing anatase-TiO2 nanoparticles as the under-layer and regular TiO2 nanowires as the over-layer. The novel TiO2 morphology enhances photon capture of fabricated DSSC by exerting a triple function mechanism including improvement of light scattering, dye sensitization and photo-generated charge carriers. An increase of 12% in cell efficiency is achieved by employment of corn-like structure as a result of slow charge recombination. The presented strategy demonstrates the feasibility of the new concept for improvement of cell efficiency by effective light management
  6. Keywords:
  7. Light-scattering layer ; One dimensional (1D) nanostructures ; Double-layer film ; Dye-sensitized solar cell ; Light scattering ; Anatase structures ; Anatase-titania ; Cell efficiency ; Charge recombinations ; Double layers ; Double-layer films ; Dye sensitization ; Dye-sensitized solar cells ; Light management ; Corn-like nanowire ; Photon capture ; Reactive facets ; Surface tension stress ; TiO ; Conversion efficiency ; Efficiency ; Morphology ; Nanoparticles ; Nanowires ; Photoelectrochemical cells ; Solar cells ; Surface tension ; Titanium dioxide
  8. Source: Electrochimica Acta ; Volume 90 , 2013 , Pages 302-308 ; 00134686 (ISSN)
  9. URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013468612020245