Search

We prepared highly-ordered titanium dioxide nanotube arrays (TNAs) by anodizing Ti foils in F-containing electrolytes. The crystalline nature and morphology of the TNAs were studied using X-ray diffraction patterns and scanning electron microscopy. We found the morphology of TNAs affects the light-to-electricity conversion efficiency ( η) of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The efficiency of DSSCs reached 5.95% under the condition of light illuminated from the counter electrode. The high efficiency of TNA-based DSSCs was attributed to the neat top surface of TNAs, which allows more dye molecule loading on the surface of the TiO nanotubes, and fewer electron recombination centers and a low interface resistance of integrated TNAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new kind of polythiophene derivative, Poly(3-(2-[4-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-phenyl]-vinyl)-2,2'-bithiophene) (PTh), was applied in dye-sensitized solar cell to extend the light response of nanocrystalline TiO2 electrode. UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectra were employed to investigate the interaction of PTh with nanocrystalline TiO2. The absorption coefficient of the PTh was high in visible part of spec- trum, and the fluorescence emission of the PTh can be efficiently quenched by TiO2 nanoparticles owing to charge injection from the excited singlet state of PTh to the conduction band of the TiO2 particles. Cyclic voltammetry measurements were performed to study the dye regeneration reaction at the nanocrystalline TiO2/electrolyte interface. The solar cell sensitized with PTh exhibited a short-circuit photocurrent (Isc) of 3.08 mA/cm², an open circuit voltage (Voc) of 511 mV and an overall efficiency of 0.9% under the illumination of 100 mW/cm² (AM 1.5). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]