DSSCs using a nanoparticle/nanorod composite TiO2 film as a photoanode

Abstract

TiO2 anatase nanorods (ANR) were synthesized by a two-step hydrothermal method. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). To increase the light harvesting efficiency and electron transfer rate, N719 dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were constructed and compared by adjusting the doping ratio of the anatase nanoparticles (ANP) and ANR in the TiO2 nanocrystalline film that was used as a photoanode in the DSSCs. The best light-to-electricity conversion efficiency (7.3%) was obtained for a double-layered photoanode (ANP/(ANR+ANP)) cell, which is 20% higher than the traditional single-layered ANP cell (6.1%) when tested under the same conditions and at AM 1.5, 100 mW·cm-2. © Editorial office of Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica.