Highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cell using nanocrystalline titania containing nanotube structure

Nanocrystalline titania containing nanotube structure (TiNT) was synthesized by surfactant-assisted templating mechanism using tetraisopropyl orthotitanate (TIPT) modified with acethylacetone (ACA)/laurylamine hydrochloride (LAHC). The electrode of dye-sensitized solar cell using TiNT exhibited higher short-circuit photocurrent density (Jsc) and solar energy conversion efficiency (η) than that of P25 titania electrode in thin film region. To obtain highly efficient cell, the thickness of TiNT electrode must be increased to attain high amount of dye. Blending TiNT gel with P25 was proved to be effective way for increasing the thickness. Increasing amount of P25 more than 5% decreased the Jsc of solar cells. However, TiNT+2% P25 was the most suitable composition to obtain well-balanced properties. The open-circuit voltage (Voc) and fill factor (ff) of the cell decreased with increasing thickness of the electrode due to increasing electron recombination and series resistance of the cell. The solar energy conversion efficiency (η) of 8.43% with a Jsc of 18.1 mA cm−2, a Voc of 0.72 V and a ff of 0.642 was attained by using TiNT+2% P25 electrode with 8.2 μm film thickness.