Electrodeposition of arborous structure nanocrystalline SnO2 and application in flexible dye-sensitized solar cells

Arborous structure SnO2 porous films were electrodeposited on Ti substrate using pulse-potential technique. The deposition process of SnO2 was investigated through cyclic voltammetry, potentiostatic electrolysis and chronoamperometry. It was found that SnO2 and metallic Sn were codeposited under the low pulse potential (−0.6 V vs. Ag/AgCl). The electrodeposited Sn was anodic oxidized under the subsequent high pulse potential (−0.1 V vs. Ag/AgCl). The formation of SnO2 possessed an instantaneous nucleation process. Dye-sensitized solar cells were fabricated using the electrodeposited SnO2 porous films. The photo-electricity conversion efficiency was about 0.47%.

► Arborous structure SnO2 porous films were electrodeposited.
► The electrodeposition mechanism of SnO2 was proposed.
► A photo-electric conversion efficiency about 0.47% was obtained.