Hierarchical Construction of Self-Standing Anodized Titania Nanotube Arrays and Nanoparticles for Efficient and Cost-Effective Front-Illuminated Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

We report on the influence of hierarchical structures, constructed via layer-by-layer assembly of self-standing titania nanotube arrays and nanoparticles, upon charge recombination and photoelectric performance of front-illuminated dye-sensitized solar cells. Both nanotubes and nanoparticles were produced by anodization rather than additionally employing other methods, providing low cost and great simplicity. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy under AM 1.5 illumination indicates the construction of hybrid morphology has superior recombination characteristics and a longer electron lifetime than nanoparticulate systems. This enhancement with the incorporation of anodized titania nanoparticles with 1D architectures is unprecedented for solar cells. Owing to the better light harvesting efficiency, extended electron lifetime and desirable electron extraction, the short-circuit photocurrent density of solar cell is 18.89 mA cm(-2) with an overall power conversion efficiency of 8.80% and an incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency of 84.6% providing a very promising candidate for sustainable energy production with a high performance/cost ratio.

One-Dimensional Titanium Dioxide Nanomaterials: Nanotubes

“…Under such optimum conditions, the best conversion efficiency of front side illuminated TiO 2 nanotube based DSSCs is 8.0 % without additional particle decoration 361 , 9.1% after a TiCl 4 treatment, 660 and 9.8% after using bottom opened membranes 627 . Nevertheless, it should be mentioned that 88 TiO 2 nanoparticle layer under nanotubes in NT/NP/FTO solar cell configuration also highly contributes to the overall conversion efficiency, and only few studies clearly separate the effects of tube layers from nanoparticle layers 266 .…”

Controllable synthesis of concave cubic gold core–shell nanoparticles for plasmon-enhanced photon harvesting

“…34 As shown in Bode phase plots (Figure 6b), the medium-frequency peaks ( max ) are in the same order of C2 • C3…”

Titania Nanostructures for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells

“…For example, Zheng et al reported the influence of hierarchical structures, constructed via layerby-layer assembly of self-standing titania nanotube arrays and nanoparticles, upon charge recombination and photoelectric performance of front-illuminated DSCs [64]. Both nanotubes and nanoparticles were produced by anodization rather than additionally employing other methods, providing low cost and great simplicity (Fig.…”

“…Both nanotubes and nanoparticles were produced by anodization rather than additionally employing other methods, providing low cost and great simplicity (Fig. 8) [64]. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy under AM 1.5 illumination indicates the construction of hybrid morphology has superior recombination characteristics and a longer electron lifetime than nanoparticulate systems.…”