Synthesis of Anatase TiO2 Microspheres and Their Efficient Performance in Dye-sensitized Solar Cell

Abstract

Nanomaterials play important role in performance of dye sensitized solar cells. In this paper, highly phase pure anatase TiO2 microspheres were synthesized using a low-cost hydrothermal route. Initially, X-ray diffraction studies and Raman spectroscopic analysis were carried out and the formation of tetragonal structure of TiO2 with the anatase phase was confirmed. The UV-Vis DRS studies showed the excellent reflectance and optical bandgap energy of 3.29 eV. The well-interconnected spherical nanoparticles with different sizes were examined by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopic analysis. The fabricated dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) composed of prepared TiO2 microspheres as photoanode exhibited a higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) (η) of 5.4% as compared to commercial P25 with PCE of 3.6%. The higher Jsc (12.03 mA/cm2) in the fabricated DSSC due to efficient dye loading capacity and high light-scattering property was also observed.