Fabrication and characterization of metal oxide and lignocelluloses fibers based working electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs)

Abstract

The working electrode is considered a major component of the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) to influence the efficiency and morphology attributes in different high-tech applications. This study presents the fabrication of flexible composite sheets of titanium dioxide (TiO2) by incorporation of natural lignocelluloses fibers extracted from the self-growing plant, Typha Angustifolia to address the inherent rigid structure and superior absorption properties of the working electrode. Furthermore, fabricated TiO2 based composites were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy and employed as a working electrode for DSSC after deposition on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) glass substrate. SEM morphology reveals that LC fibers acted as a thread to bind the TiO2 nanoparticles and also with better voids for adsorption of electrolyte whereas FTIR spectroscopy confirms the successful formation of the paper composite. J-V measurements reveal the high efficiency of 2.95% for TiO2/LC flexible and environmentally safe composite which can be feasible for modern bendable DSSC.