Titanium-doped hydroxyapatites photoanodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. Issue 7 (1st April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sangiorgi, Nicola; Bendoni, Riccardo; Sangiorgi, Alex; Aversa, Lucrezia; Tatti, Roberta; Verucchi, Roberto; Adamiano, Alessio; Sandri, Monica; Tampieri, Anna; Sanson, Alessandra
• Is Part Of: Ceramics international. Volume 47:Issue 7(2021)Part A
• Page Start: 9701
• Page End: 9710
• Publication Date: 2021-04-01
• Subjects: A. Films -- B. Spectroscopy -- C. Chemical properties -- C. Optical properties -- D. Apatite -- E. Electrodes; Ceramics -- Periodicals; Céramique industrielle -- Périodiques; Ceramics; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 666
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2020.12.109
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-8842

Abstract

Abstract: The development of new materials based on abundant elements, reduced toxicity is today crucial for the next generation of energy device. Titanium-doped hydroxyapatite (TiHA) was tested for the first time as photoanode material for Dye – Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs). The chemical composition and energy structure of TiHA powders with increasing titanium content (5 wt%, 10 wt% and 15 wt%) were extensively characterized by surface electron spectroscopies, XPS and UPS. Their compatibility with conventional ruthenium-based dyes molecules was also assessed, producing considerable uptake. TiHA films were produced by screen-printing technique and XRD analyses confirm the presence of apatitic structure. The film properties were completely determined by optical, morphological (FE–SEM) and functional characterizations. Finally, TiHA-based DSSCs were assembled and their photovoltaic performance were assessed. The best efficiency, equal to 0.14%, was obtained for the TiHA containing 15 wt% of titanium. These results open the path for the possible application of doped hydroxyapatite as novel materials for energy conversion systems.