| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 189290 | Electrochimica Acta | 2011 | 6 Pages |
A tertiary hierarchically structured mesoporous spherical TiO2 (with a diameter of 1190 ± 60 nm) was synthesized by combining the sol–gel and the subsequent solvothermal treatment, and applied to CdS quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). This mesoporous spherical (MS) TiO2 offers a high surface area (76.02 m2 g−1), a high internal reflectance in the visible region and a pore accessibility. A conversion efficiency of 1.9% was achieved by CdS QDSSCs composed of the MS TiO2 photoanode, which corresponds to ∼58% improvement as compared with the values obtained from the conventional devices made with 20-nm-sized nanocrystalline TiO2 under AM 1.5 illumination of 100 mW cm−2. Thus, the MS TiO2 can be a promising candidate for the photoanode material of QDSSCs.
► The tertiary hierarchically structured TiO2 was prepared and applied to the CdS quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). ► This offers unique advantages including high surface area, optical scattering, and accessible pores. ► As a result, an overall efficiency of 1.9% was achieved.
