A novel parallel configuration of dye-sensitized solar cells with double-sided anodic nanotube arrays

Abstract

In dye-sensitized solar cells based on anodic titania nanotube arrays, the low photocurrent in the backside-illuminated configuration has hindered their development. To increase the energy absorption and thus promote the photocurrent, a novel parallel configuration of dye-sensitized solar cells is proposed and achieved in this work on the basis of double-sided anodic nanotubes. The parallel connection is verified by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. The parallel cells exhibit an average 70% increment in photocurrent and 30% enhancement in efficiency as compared to the single cells, due to significantly increased surface area and highly reduced series resistance. Theoretical calculation and experimental fitting results demonstrate that a tube length of $30 mm is optimal for the nanotubes used in this study with backside-illuminated architecture.

Improved performance in dye-sensitized solar cells by rationally tailoring anodic TiO2 nanotube length

“…In fact, our experimental results are well consistent with the simulated results as reported in Ref. [40] on the optimized length of TNT arrays in back-illuminated DSSCs (our experimental: 34 lm and the simulated: around 30 lm). Fig.…”

Utilizing Chromium as the Photoanode Substrate in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

“…[15] Titanium is a stable metal in electrolyte, because of a native titanium-dioxide overlayer that is thickened in the thermal processing of the photoanode. There are several reports in recent years on making TiO 2 nanotubes by anodizing Ti foil [16,17] and Ti mesh [18,19] for use in flexible DSSCs, as well as by using Ti rods for cylindrical DSSCs. [20] There are also several reports on using Ti mesh as a photoanode substrate.…”

Transition from Anodic Titania Nanotubes to Nanowires: Arising from Nanotube Growth to Application in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

“…Examples include titanium, [4] zirconium, [5] hafnium, [6] niobium, [7] tantalum, [8] and tungsten, [9] to name but a few. In particular, anodic titania nanotube arrays with highly oriented alignment have generated worldwide interest, owing to their intriguing performance when applied in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), [10][11][12] gas sensors, [13,14] water splitting, [15,16] and so forth. Recently, a few researchers reported anodic formation of titania nanowires on top of the nanotubes in an organic electrolyte.…”