D-sorbitol-induced phase control of TiO2 nanoparticles and its application for dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract

Using a simple hydrothermal synthesis, the crystal structure of TiO2 nanoparticles was controlled from rutile to anatase using a sugar alcohol, D-sorbitol. Adding small amounts of D-sorbitol to an aqueous TiCl4 solution resulted in changes in the crystal phase, particle size, and surface area by affecting the hydrolysis rate of TiCl4. These changes led to improvements of the solar-to-electrical power conversion efficiency (η) of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) fabricated using these nanoparticles. A postulated reaction mechanism concerning the role of D-sorbitol in the formation of rutile and anatase was proposed. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, 13C NMR spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering analyses were used to better understand the interaction between the Ti precursor and D-sorbitol. The crystal phase and size of the synthesized TiO2 nanocrystallites as well as photovoltaic performance of the DSSC were examined using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and photocurrent density-applied voltage spectroscopy measurement techniques. The DSSC fabricated using the anatase TiO2 nanoparticles synthesized in the presence of D-sorbitol, exhibited an enhanced η (6%, 1.5-fold improvement) compared with the device fabricated using the rutile TiO2 synthesized without D-sorbitol.

Ultra-bright emission from Sr doped TiO 2 nanoparticles through r-GO conjugation

“…Figure 3 shows FTIR spectra of the present samples including the r-GO. As seen from figure 3 a – d , the transmittance peaks at around 551 and 682 cm −1 are due to the Ti-O stretching vibrations of TiO 2 whereas the peak at 880 cm −1 is corresponding to TiO 6 octahedron bending vibration [27,28]. The absorbances in range 1660–1680 cm −1 are assigned to the C=C bond, as shown in figure 3 [29], while the absorbance at 1475 cm −1 can be attributed to the C-OH vibration.…”

Simultaneous Growth of Rutile TiO2 Nanorod on FTO Plate by One-Step Hydrothermal Process for CdS Sensitized Solar Cell Applications

“…The Raman Spectra of FTO/TiO2 and FTO/TiO2/CdS film were shown in the Figure 2. In the spectrum of FTO/TiO2 thin film, the peaks at 235, 441 and 607 cm -1 are typical rutile TiO2 bands and these can be corresponding to the two-photo scattering, Eg and A1g modes in Figure 2a [18,19]. The strong peak found at 298 cm -1 which can be recognized to the first-order LO phonon vibrational modes of CdS in FTO/TiO2/CdS-8 sample [20,21].…”

A review of antimicrobial fabric containing nanostructures metal‐based compound

“…The created electrons and holes react with oxygen and water to form and hydroxyl radicals. This ROS generation is postulated could be the agent to kill the bacteria cell under presence of light . Wu et al have been successfully deposited TiO 2 in anatase with particle size 3–5 nm on cotton fabrics, possessed distinct self‐cleaning and bactericidal activity under the fluorescent light.…”