A Comparison of the Performances of Different Mesoporous Titanias in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. (27th May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Latini, Alessandro; Panetta, Riccardo; Cavallo, Carmen; Gozzi, Daniele; Quaranta, Simone
• Other Names: Yu William W. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of nanomaterials. Volume 2015(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-05-27
• Subjects: Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanomatériaux; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Nanostructures; Nanotechnology; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 620.115
• DOI: 10.1155/2015/450405
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1687-4110

Abstract

Abstract : The present work aims at optimizing titanium dioxide morphology for dye-sensitized solar cells applications. Five different anatase phase mesoporous titanias were prepared and tested as photoanodes in dye-sensitized solar cells. The materials were prepared by using a template approach. Two materials were synthesized by using monodisperse silica nanospheres and the other three using two different organic templating agents (Pluronic P123 and Brij 58). A complete characterization of the obtained materials was performed by powder XRD, FEG-SEM, UV-Vis reflectance spectroscopy, BET surface area measurements, and TG-DTA. Several cells were assembled using N719 as dye and a nonvolatile electrolyte based on benzonitrile. The cells were tested by means of J-V curves under simulated solar radiation, IPCE, and dark current measurements. The highest efficiencies were achieved with titania prepared by using Pluronic P123 as template (η max = 6.8 %), while the lowest efficiencies were recorded with using titania samples prepared with the silica nanospheres template (η min = 5.7 %). The different performances of the samples are examined and discussed.