Mesoporous Carbon‐TiO2 Beads with Nanotextured Surfaces as Photoanodes in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells. Issue 9 (6th August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Quan, Li Na; Jang, Yoon Hee; Jang, Yu Jin; Kim, Jihyeon; Lee, Wonmok; Moon, Jun Hyuk; Kim, Dong Ha
• Is Part Of: ChemSusChem. Volume 7:Issue 9(2014:Sep.)
• Page Start: 2590
• Page End: 2596
• Publication Date: 2014-08-06
• Subjects: Green chemistry -- Periodicals; Sustainable engineering -- Periodicals; Chemistry -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; 660
• DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201402277
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1864-5631

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Mesoporous TiO₂ and carbon‐TiO₂ beads with highly roughened surfaces at the nanoscale were prepared by using triblock copolymer P123 simultaneously as template and carbon source in combination with colloid self‐assembly. In addition, their role as modifier of the photoanode in the efficiency enhancement of dye‐sensitized solar cells is discussed. Hierarchically organized TiO₂ networks can provide fast electron transport paths, and ordered mesopores can enhance light scattering as well as facilitate infiltration of the electrolyte. It was found that there is an optimum loading level of mesoporous TiO₂ and carbon‐TiO₂ beads, that is, 1.0 and 0.5 wt %, with respect to the control P25 TiO₂ nanoparticles, respectively, for maximizing the photovoltaic performance. An increase in the photovoltaic performance by up to 21.45 % was achieved by incorporation of mesoporous carbon‐TiO₂ beads into the conventional photoanode of DSSCs owing to enhanced charge transport and collection effects.</p> </abstract>