Plasmonic Ag nanoparticles anchored ethylenediamine modified TiO2 nanowires@graphene oxide composites for dye-sensitized solar cell

Abstract

Proficient photoanode is always vital for obtaining high efficiency in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Herein, ethylenediamine functionalized TiO2 nanowires graphene oxide (TiO2 NW-NH2/GO) has been synthesized and incorporated with Ag nanoparticles. The prepared plasmonic nanocomposites are characterized by various techniques, such as, diffused reflectance, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction, and Scanning/transmission electron microscopies (SEM and TEM). The amine functionalized TiO2 NW-NH2/GO/Ag plasmonic nanocomposites exhibit strong light harvesting and better dye loading, leading to high efficiency. The DSSC integrated with TiO2 NW-NH2/GO/Ag nanocomposite photoanode exhibits remarkable photovoltaic performance (short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 15.09 mA cm−2 and an overall power conversion efficiency (ɳ) of 8.76%) which is double that of the DSSC with pure TiO2 NW photoanodes (4.05%). The enhancement of efficiency, mainly due to the increased current density, is attributed to the improved electron transfer at the photoanode/electrolyte interface. Ethylenediamine gives binding interaction between TiO2 and GO/Ag.