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Mesoporous Carbon‐TiO 2 Beads with Nanotextured Surfaces as Photoanodes in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Author(s) -
Quan Li Na,
Jang Yoon Hee,
Jang Yu Jin,
Kim Jihyeon,
Lee Wonmok,
Moon Jun Hyuk,
Kim Dong Ha
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201402277
Subject(s) - materials science , mesoporous material , nanotechnology , carbon fibers , dye sensitized solar cell , chemical engineering , chemistry , catalysis , electrode , composite material , organic chemistry , composite number , engineering , electrolyte
Mesoporous TiO 2 and carbon‐TiO 2 beads with highly roughened surfaces at the nanoscale were prepared by using triblock copolymer P123 simultaneously as template and carbon source in combination with colloid self‐assembly. In addition, their role as modifier of the photoanode in the efficiency enhancement of dye‐sensitized solar cells is discussed. Hierarchically organized TiO 2 networks can provide fast electron transport paths, and ordered mesopores can enhance light scattering as well as facilitate infiltration of the electrolyte. It was found that there is an optimum loading level of mesoporous TiO 2 and carbon‐TiO 2 beads, that is, 1.0 and 0.5 wt %, with respect to the control P25 TiO 2 nanoparticles, respectively, for maximizing the photovoltaic performance. An increase in the photovoltaic performance by up to 21.45 % was achieved by incorporation of mesoporous carbon‐TiO 2 beads into the conventional photoanode of DSSCs owing to enhanced charge transport and collection effects.