Preparation of TiO2 particles and their applications in the light scattering layer of a dye-sensitized solar cell

This study investigates the applicability of a hybrid TiO2 electrode (or a working electrode with a light scattering layer) in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Microcrystalline TiO2 particles, synthesized by the simple sol–gel method using TiCl4 ethanol solution as a precursor, were used to prepare a light scattering layer of the working electrode (or a hybrid TiO2 electrode), and the properties of these microcrystalline TiO2 particles were measured. This electrode was then immersed in a solution of N-719 (Ruthenium) dye at a temperature of 70 °C for 6 h. Finally, the DSSC was assembled, and the short-circuit photocurrent, the open-circuit photovoltage, and the power conversion efficiency of DSSC were measured using an I–V measurement system. The effect of the average size of TiO2 particles synthesized by the sol–gel method on the power conversion efficiency of a DSSC was also examined. Most importantly, this study shows that the power conversion efficiency of the DSSC with a hybrid TiO2 electrode (7.02%), which consisted of 50% TiO2 particles (P-25) and 50% TiO2 particles with an average size of 268.7 nm, substantially exceeds that of the conventional DSSC with a TiO2 (P-25) electrode (5.16%) due to the effect of the light scattering in the DSSC.

The power conversion efficiency of the DSSC with a hybrid TiO2 electrode (7.02%), which consisted of 50% TiO2 particles (P-25) and 50% TiO2 particles with an average size of 268.7 nm, substantially exceeds that of the conventional DSSC with a TiO2 (P-25) electrode (5.16%) due to the effect of the light scattering in the DSSC.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► The TiCl4 as a precursor was used to prepare TiO2 particles via the sol–gel method.
► A hybrid electrode included 50% P-25 and 50% TiO2 (268.7 nm) was applied to DSSC.
► The efficiency of DSSC increased with increasing the average particle size of TiO2.
► The efficiency of DSSC with a hybrid electrode was 7.02% due to the light scattering.