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A simple method for the controllable hydrothermal synthesis of nanocrystalline anatase TiO 2 (nc-TiO 2) particles involving the selection of suitable organic alkali peptizing agents is reported. A dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) with square-like nc-TiO 2 particles with side lengths about 8-13 nm-prepared using tetraethylammonium hydroxide (TEAOH)-in the photoelectrode showed higher photovoltaic performance than two other DSSCs with square-like nc-TiO 2 particles with side lengths about 7-10 nm-prepared using tetrabutylammonium hydroxide-or elongated nc-TiO 2 particles with lengths about 18-35 nm and width about 1018 nm-prepared using tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH)-in the photoelectrodes. When a scattering layer prepared from sub-micron size spheres or cone-like nc-TiO 2 particles-synthesized using a higher concentration of TMAOH-was added on top of the the photoelectrode fabricated from nc-TiO 2 synthesized with TEAOH, the energy conversion efficiency of the DSSC was markedly increased from 6.77% to 8.18%.

A new kind of gel electrolyte containing only organic solvents and an iodide salt-namely 3-methoxypropionitrile (MPN), aniline and AlI 3-has been prepared. Gel formation results from the Lewis acid-base interaction between the Lewis acid ionic conductor AlI 3 and the Lewis base organic solvent aniline and no additional gelling agent is required. The AlI 3-aniline complex acts both as an ionic conductor and as a gelling agent. The differences between the peaks characteristic of the-NH 2 group and aromatic ring in the FTIR spectra of free aniline and the AlI 3-aniline hybrid confirm the formation of the AlI 3-aniline complex. The photovoltaic performance and long-term stability of dye-sensitized solar cells can be greatly enhanced by the addition of aniline to the AlI 3-MPN liquid electrolyte.