Application of Three-Dimensionally Ordered Mesoporous TiO2 Particles as Dual-function Scatterers in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. (20th December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jeong, Juwon; Bak, Woojeong; Choi, Jung-Woo; Lee, Kyung Jae; Kang, Jin Soo; Kim, Jin; Kim, Dong Gwan; Yoo, Won Cheol; Sung, Yung-Eun
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 222(2016)
• Page Start: 1079
• Page End: 1085
• Publication Date: 2016-12-20
• Subjects: Dye–sensitized solar cells -- scattering particles -- mesoporous TiO2; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2016.11.078
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Three-dimensional ordered mesoporous (3DOm) TiO2 particles in dye-sensitized solar cells enhanced reflectance and dye uptake of the cell. 3DOm TiO2 cells showed enhanced current density, with respect to its mass ratio. Using impedance technique, we found that high surface area of 3DOm TiO2 increased surface area and carrier recombination rate. Device efficiency showed maximum at 10 wt%, because of the competition of two factors above. Abstract: Mesoporous TiO2 particles have been extensively used as scattering particles in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), because of their high scattering properties and additional carrier derived from their high surface area. However, the latter effect was not fully utilized, since generated additional carriers cannot be efficiently collected. Hence, for the efficient DSSCs, utilizing their high surface area was remained as a key issue. Herein, we synthesized three-dimensionally ordered mesoporous (3DOm) TiO2 particles and put them into the photoanode as scatterers for DSSCs. These scattering particles were embedded in the photoanode, to utilize their specific morphology. The synthesized 3DOm TiO2 particles increased total surface area and dye uptake of the photoanode without losing cells' scattering properties. These effects were clearly reflected on the photovoltaic parameters in DSSCs, as a gradual increase of current density with respect to the 3DOm TiO2 particles ratio. As a consequence, we demonstrated scattering particle design and appropriate cell configuration for efficient DSSCs, with 11% enhancement in the conversion efficiency.