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Improved Efficiency of Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells Based on a Single Layer Deposition of Skein‐Like TiO 2 Nanotubes
Author(s) -
Mojaddami Majdoddin,
Mohammadi Mohammad Reza,
Madaah Hosseini Hamid Reza
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of the american ceramic society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.9
H-Index - 196
eISSN - 1551-2916
pISSN - 0002-7820
DOI - 10.1111/jace.13043
Subject(s) - dye sensitized solar cell , hydrothermal circulation , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , materials science , layer (electronics) , nanostructure , deposition (geology) , mesoporous material , nanoparticle , morphology (biology) , chemistry , organic chemistry , catalysis , paleontology , genetics , electrode , sediment , engineering , electrolyte , biology
We present a new TiO 2 morphology, featuring high surface area and open structure, synthesized by a two‐step chemical route for the manufacture of dye‐sensitized solar cells ( DSSC s). This construct is sets of intertwined one‐dimensional (1D) nanostructures (i.e., nanotubes), so‐called skein‐like nanotubes (NTs). Such morphology is produced by a combination of TiC oxidation and hydrothermal processes. The mesoporous TiO 2 nanoparticles, as the product of TiC oxidation operation, is used as the precursor of hydrothermal process to grow the skein‐like NTs. The effect of processing parameters of TiC oxidation and hydrothermal processes is studied. The skein‐like morphology enables to eliminate the conventional three or fourfold layer deposition process by a single layer deposition of TiO 2 NT s. The novel TiO 2 morphology enhances photon capture of fabricated DSSC by exerting a triple function mechanism including improvement of light scattering, dye sensitization, and electron transport. The presented strategy demonstrates the feasibility of the new concept for improvement of cell efficiency by effective light management.