Enhancement of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Efficiency Using Mixed-Phase TiO2 Nanoparticlesas Photoanode

Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is a potential candidate to replace conventional silicon-based solar cells because of highefficiency, cheap cost, and lower energy consumption in comparison with silicon chip manufacture. In this report, mixed-phase(anatase and rutile nanoparticles) TiO2photoanode was synthesized to investigate material characteristics, carriers transport, andphotovoltaic performance for future DSSC application. Field-emission scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction(XRD), photoluminescence (PL), and UV-visible spectroscopy were used to characterize mixed TiO2particles. Subsequently,various mixed-phase TiO2anodes in DSSC devices were measured by electrical impedance spectra (EIS) and energy efficiencyconversion. The overall energy conversion efficiency of DSSC chip was improved as a result of the increase of rutile phase ofTiO2(14%) in anatase matrix. Synergistic effects including TiO2crystallization, reduction of defect density level in energy band,longer lifetime of photoexcited electrons, and lower resistance of electron pathway all contributed to high efficiency of light energyconversion