Synthesis of nanocrystalline TiO2 nanorods via hydrothermal method: An efficient photoanode material for dye sensitized solar cells

Nanocrystalline TiO2 nanorods (NRs) were successfully grown via hydrothermal process. The powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) pattern shows larger fraction of anatase phase with good crystallinity. Surface morphology of the grown NRs and its dimensions were identified with high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis. The crystalline nature of the NRs was also identified with bright spots obtained from selected area electron diffraction (SAED) analysis. The specific surface area and average pore width of the material are 34.84 m2/g and 3.1 nm respectively. Based on the surface morphology, crystalline and mesoporous properties of the NRs, nanocrystalline dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were made and their performances were compared with commercially available Aeroxide P25 nanoparticles. The performance of the NRs shows high short circuit current density (Jsc=15.45 mA/cm2) and high conversion efficiency of 6.5% in DSSCs. From the electrochemical impedance measurement, lower charge transfer resistance (Rct) has been observed for NRs based DSSC device in the interfaces.