Optimization of TiO2 substrate for dye-sensitized solar cells

The effect of pre-thermal treatment on anatase TiO₂ with high specific surface area (ca. 334 m²/g, HK) was investigated for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC). The optimized substrate was observed on the HK pre-calcined at 450°C (HK-450) in terms of morphological feature, crystallinity, surface area, and photocurrent density. A DSC fabricated with HK-450 exhibited the high photovoltaic performance with significantly improved short-circuit current. This was attributed to the superior morphological features of HK-450, causing the high adsorption of dye and high photocurrent density. The optimization between the morphological feature, crystallinity, specific surface area and the photocurrent density of TiO₂ substrate was found to give rise to the improved overall conversion efficiency of DSC.