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Inducing a Nanotwinned Grain Structure within the TiO 2 Nanotubes Provides Enhanced Electron Transport and DSSC Efficiencies >10%
Author(s) -
So Seulgi,
Hwang Imgon,
Yoo JeongEun,
Mohajernia Shiva,
Mačković Mirza,
Spiecker Erdmann,
Cha Gihoon,
Mazare Anca,
Schmuki Patrik
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advanced energy materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.08
H-Index - 220
eISSN - 1614-6840
pISSN - 1614-6832
DOI - 10.1002/aenm.201800981
Subject(s) - materials science , dye sensitized solar cell , nanotechnology , nanotube , nanostructure , electron transport chain , conductivity , electron , chemical engineering , carbon nanotube , electrode , chemistry , botany , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering , electrolyte , biology
Abstract Titania is one of the key materials used in 1D, 2D, and 3D nanostructures as electron transport media in energy conversion devices. In the present study, it is shown that the electronic properties of TiO 2 nanotubes can be drastically improved by inducing a nanotwinned grain structure in the nanotube wall. This structure can be exclusively induced for “single‐walled” nanotubes with a high‐temperature treatment in pure oxygen atmospheres. Nanotubes with a twinned grain structure within the tube wall show a strongly enhanced conductivity and photogenerated charge transport compared to classic nanotubes. This remarkable improvement is exemplified in the electronic properties by using nanotwinned TiO 2 nanotubes in dye‐sensitized solar cells where a significant increase in efficiency of up to 10.2% is achieved.