A new anode material of silver photo-deposition on TiO2 in DSSC

A series of nano-scaled Ag/TiO2 anode was prepared by photo deposition method with different light time. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed that Ag deposited on TiO2 surface mainly in zero valent successfully. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) measurements showed that the Rct2 corresponding to the TiO2/dye/electrolyte interface decreased 10.4 Ω. Deposition of Ag on TiO2 surface can transmit the carriers produced by photo excited dye better than pure TiO2. This improved the electrons transmission efficiency of anode. Therefore, the photoelectric conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) was improved. There is an optimum light time. That is the 10 min measured by experiment.

► Nano-scaled Ag/TiO2 anode was prepared by photo-deposition method.
► XPS confirmed that Ag deposited on the surface mainly in zero valent.
► Deposition of Ag can transmit the carriers produced by photo excited dye better.