AgNWs@TiO2 and AgNPs@TiO2 Double-Layer Photoanode Film Improving Light Capture and Application under Low Illumination

Abstract

In this article, silver nanowires (AgNWs) were prepared and introduced into the double-layer photoanode of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Silver nanowires with a diameter of about 50–60 nm and a length of 1–2 mm were prepared by the polyol method. The power conversion efficiency of the double-layer photoanode DSSC made of AgNWs@TiO2 and AgNPs@TiO2 composite materials is 6.38%. Compared with the unmodified DSSC, the composite double-layer photoanode combined with AgNWs and AgNPs increased the efficiency of DSSC by 58.7%. This increased efficiency was mainly due to the localized surface plasmon resonance effect caused by AgNPs and AgNWs. The increased light collection was caused by the plasma effect of AgNPs, and it increased the short-circuit photocurrent density (JSC). The conductive properties of AgNWs improved interface charge transfer and delay charge recombination. The effect of a low light environment on DSSC efficiency was also investigated, and the best photovoltaic conversion efficiency under an irradiance of 10 mW/cm2 was found to be 8.78%.

Preparation of Multifunctional Plasma Cured Cellulose Fibers Coated with Photo-Induced Nanocomposite toward Self-Cleaning and Antibacterial Textiles

“…Viscose fabrics were supplied from Spin and Weaving Misr El-Mahalla Co. (El-Mahalla City, Egypt) Silver(I) nitrate, titanium isopropoxide (TTIP; 97%), acetic acid (65%), silver nitrate (≥99.0%), acetic acid (CH 3 COOH; 96%), nitric acid (HNO 3 ; 65%), sodium carbonate (Na 2 CO 3 ), and oxalic acid were obtained from Aldrich (Cairo, Egypt). TiO 2 nanoparticles were synthesized according to the previously reported low temperature sol-gel method [18].…”

“…The deposition of AgNPs can significantly improve the light-induced catalytic activity of TiO 2 nanoparticles. This could be ascribed to the ability of AgNPs to trap electrons at Schottky bar at each contact area of Ag/TiO 2 [16][17][18][19]. This results in a decrease in the recombination effect between electrons and holes on the surface of TiO 2 nanoparticles.…”