Acid-free approach towards the growth of vertically aligned TiO2 nanorods as an efficient photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cells

Journal Article · Sat Sep 15 04:00:00 EDT 2018 · Materials Research Bulletin

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATERRESBULL.2018.05.001· OSTI ID:22805191

Kim, Dong Hyun; Dudem, Bhaskar

Highlights: • Vertically aligned TiO{sub 2} NRs are fabricated by an acid-free hydrothermal approach. • Study the effect of TiO{sub 2} NRs growth parameters on its structural/optical properties. • The optimized TiO{sub 2} NRs were employed as an efficient photoanode for DSSCs. • An optimal PCE of 2.45% was achived by DSSC with TiO{sub 2} NRs with heights of ∼1.56 μm. - Abstract: We synthesized the closely packed titanium dioxide nanorods (TiO{sub 2} NRs) on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass by a facile and cost-effective hydrothermal method. The TiO{sub 2} NRs were further utilized as a photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). For hydrothermal growth of TiO{sub 2} NRs, we utilized an acid-free reaction medium instead of a strong acidic medium, which can reduce the equipment cost as well as the environmental damages. Before employing these TiO{sub 2} NRs for DSSCs as a photoanode, the effects of hydrothermal growth parameters on the structural and optical characteristics of TiO{sub 2} NRs/FTO glass were investigated. Eventually, the TiO{sub 2} NRs with optimized height and diameter were employed to DSSCs and their photovoltaic characteristics were examined.

• OSTI ID: 22805191
• Journal Information: Materials Research Bulletin, Journal Name: Materials Research Bulletin Vol. 105; ISSN MRBUAC; ISSN 0025-5408
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
DYES
FLUORINE
GLASS
HYDROTHERMAL SYNTHESIS
NANOSTRUCTURES
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHOTOANODES
PHOTOVOLTAIC EFFECT
RODS
SOLAR CELLS
TIN OXIDES
TITANIUM OXIDES