Enhancement of dye sensitized solar cell efficiency by composite TiO2 nanoparticle/8 nm TiO2 nanotube paper-like photoelectrode

In this study, a composite of TiO2 nanoparticles/8 nm TiO2 nanotubes was successfully fabricated as a stand-alone, paper-like structure for photoanode of dye-sensitized solar cells by using a simple pressing method. The best power conversion efficiency of 5.38% was for the solar cell under illumination of simulated AM 1.5 solar light. The combination of nanosphere particles and 1D nanostructure leads to the effective electron transport and also provides the mechanical robustness for the overall structure while maintaining the transparency level.

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► New TiO2 nanoparticle/TiO2 nanotube composite was fabricated for DS solar cells.
► Significant reduction in microcracking was obtained in the anodes with nanotubes.
► The nanocomposite structure led to improved solar cell efficiency performance.