Morphology and photoelectrochemical properties of TiO2 electrodes prepared using functionalized plant oil binders

Chemically functionalized plant oils, viz. acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) and maleinized acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (MAESO), were used as bio-based binders for the TiO2 electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). The surface roughness and number of appropriate pores were increased in the TiO2 films prepared using the plant oil binders in comparison with the film prepared using polyethylene glycol (PEG), due to the larger number of functionalities. The short circuit photocurrent (ISC) and open circuit photovoltage (VOC) were increased, and the conversion efficiency was significantly improved, in the cell using the plant oil binders.