Low temperature preparation of mesoporous TiO2 films for efficient dye-sensitized photoelectrode by chemical vapor deposition combined with UV light irradiation

A new method for fabricating plastic film-based mesoporous TiO2 electrodes for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells is described. TiO2 nanocrystalline layers electrophoretically deposited on indium-tin-oxide (ITO)-coated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film was post-treated with chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of Ti alkoxide followed by UV light irradiation at temperatures below 110 °C. UV-assisted CVD treatment drastically enhanced dye-sensitized photocurrent and improved photovoltage up to 750 mV. A film electrode bearing Ru complex (Ru 535-bis TBA) dye-sensitized TiO2 on ITO–PET yielded solar energy conversion efficiency of 3.8%.