Effects of TiO2 phase and nanostructures as photoanode on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells

Bulletin of Materials Science volume 44, Article number: 10 (2021) Cite this article

Abstract

In this study, different titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanostructures and phase were investigated as photoanode film for application in dye-sensitized solar cells. Rutile TiO2 nanorods (NRs)-nanotrees (NTs) and TiO2 NRs-microcauliflowers (MCFs) were synthesized via hydrothermal method for different time. The mixed phase of rutile-anatase film was fabricated by applying TiO2 nanoparticles paste on the synthesized TiO2 NRs-NTs via squeegee method. The counter electrode film was fabricated by spraying deposition and sputtering methods of reduced graphene oxide–multi-walled carbon nanotubes and platinum, respectively. Solar simulator measurement revealed that higher energy conversion efficiency (1.420%) and short-circuit current density (3.584 mA cm−2) were achieved by using rutile TiO2 NRs-MCFs film. The utilization of a thick rutile film with microparticle structures increases dye adsorption, and thus enhances the electron excitation.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to express our appreciation to the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (Grant Code: 2015-0154-102-02) for the financial support.

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Affiliations

  1. Nanotechnology Research Centre, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900, Tanjung Malim, Malaysia

    Muqoyyanah, A B Suriani, A Mohamed & N Hashim

  2. Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900, Tanjung Malim, Malaysia

    Muqoyyanah & A B Suriani

  3. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900, Tanjung Malim, Malaysia

    A Mohamed & N Hashim

  4. NANO-ElecTronic Centre, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450, Shah Alam, Malaysia

    M H Mamat

  5. Microelectronic and Nanotechnology-Shamsuddin Research Centre, Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400, Parit Raja, Malaysia

    M K Ahmad

  6. Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Malaysia

    M H D Othman

  7. Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

    M A Mohamed

  8. Nano-Optoelectronics Research and Technology Laboratory, School of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Minden Penang, Malaysia

    M D Nurhafizah

  9. CNRS International NTU Thales Research Alliance, Research Techno Plaza, Singapore, 637553, Singapore

    M D Birowosuto

  10. Department of Frontier Materials, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya, 466-8555, Japan

    T Soga

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  1. Muqoyyanah
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  2. A B Suriani
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Correspondence to A B Suriani.

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Muqoyyanah, Suriani, A.B., Mohamed, A. et al. Effects of TiO2 phase and nanostructures as photoanode on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells. Bull Mater Sci 44, 10 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12034-020-02302-4

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Keywords

  • TiO2
  • nanotrees
  • microcauliflowers
  • phase
  • efficiency
  • DSSCs