Synthesis of a high efficiency novel working electrode scandium/HOMBIKAT in dye-sensitized solar cells

• Scandium/HOMBIKAT in different wt.% were prepared by wet impregnation method.
• 4 wt.% Sc/TiO2 shows the higher values of the VOC, JSC, η and shunt resistance.
• The orientation of the benzene rings of RB dye has a great impact on the efficiency.

In this work, scandium supported TiO2 HOMBIKAT UV 100 (Sc/TiO2) in different wt.% were prepared by simple wet impregnation method. Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) confirmed that Sc/TiO2 contains scandium in 2 and 4 wt.%. Different characterization tools were used to investigate the prepared samples. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman analysis showed that no peaks characteristic for scandium was detected. Surface properties showed that the prepared samples display isotherms of Type II according to the IUPAC classification, with the presence of mesoporous pores. Surface morphology shows that the aggregation increases as the scandium content increase. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) showed the increase in size upon increase in scandium content. The electrical properties for Sc/TiO2 and TiO2 were investigated by measuring the current density–voltage (J–V) under illumination condition. 4 wt.% Sc/TiO2 showed the highest electrical properties. The open circuit voltage (VOC), short circuit current density (JSC) and energy conversion efficiency (η) were found to be 0.835 V, 20.46 mA/cm2 and 10.34%, respectively. The shunt resistance calculation indicates that 4 wt.% Sc/TiO2 showed a high efficiency solar cell. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was carried out to investigate the anchored groups on the catalyst surface which differ according to the concentration of Rose Bengal dye (RB) used. Also, the orientation of benzene ring depends on the concentration of RB and has an impact on the activity. Different factors affecting the performance of the cell such as photosensitizer concentration and pH, active area of photoanode, thickness of counter electrode, and effect of electrolyte concentration were studied.

J–V curve shows high photovoltaic parameters for 4 wt.% Sc/TiO2 sample.The adsorbed groups of RB dye on the catalyst surface play an important role for the efficiency.The anchored groups depend on the concentration of photosensitized dye.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide