Characterization of nanostructured core-shell working electrodes for application in dye-sensitized solar cells

Indium oxide (In2O3)-coated titanium dioxide (TiO2) core-shell nanostructures were produced via a sol–gel route. The presence of the thin In2O3 shell was established by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and the morphology was investigated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). It was found that the In2O3 content increased with increased number of coatings on the TiO2 nanostructure. Lattice fringes were observed for the nanosized TiO2 particles, and the In2O3 shell showed an amorphous structure revealing a clear distinction between the core and shell materials. These morphologies were supported by energy dispersive X-ray analysis to further validate the presence of a core-shell structure.