Enhanced conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells using Sm2O3–modified TiO2 nanotubes

Highly ordered TiO2 nanotubes grown on a Ti substrate are conveniently modified with samarium oxide (Sm2O3) by a hydrothermal method for use in back-illuminated dye-sensitized solar cells. As a down-conversion luminescence material, samarium oxide improves the UV radiation harvesting and thus increases the photocurrent. The results show that Sm2O3–modified TiO2 nanotubes can increase the short-circuit current and the conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells. When TiO2 nanotubes are modified by 0.02 M Sm2O3, the efficiency is improved by 73.1% compared with bare TiO2 nanotubes.

► We fabricate Sm2O3/TiO2 nanotubes as photo-anode in DSSCs.
► Sm2O3 as luminescence conversion material can improve the UV radiation harvesting to increase current.
► The results show that efficiency of DSSCs improves by 73.1% under optimum condition.