Direct and Seamless Coupling of TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanotube Photonic Crystal to Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cell: A Single‐Step Approach

Yip, Cho Tung; Huang, Haitao; Zhou, Limin; Xie, Keyu; Wang, Yu; Feng, Tianhua; Li, Jensen; Tam, Wing Yim

doi:10.1002/adma.201103591

Cited by 148 publications

(108 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Various kinds of configurations can be assembled coupled with TiO 2 NTs with photonic feature, indicating the easy integration of such structures for device applications. Huang et al tried to fabricate a double-layered NT structure (PC+absorbing layers) through one single anodization step (current pulse+constant current) [238]. The schematic diagram of the double-layered structure and cell assembly, and the SEM images of the NT structure can be seen in Figure 9A, B, respectively.…”

Section: Single-step Synthesis Of Double-layered Nts With Pcsmentioning

confidence: 99%

TiO2 nanotube structures for the enhancement of photon utilization in sensitized solar cells

Lin¹,

Liu

Zhu

et al. 2015

Nanotechnology Reviews

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The nano-and microstructures of titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) photoanodes in photovoltaic cells have a large impact on their photon to electron performances, including light harvesting, photogenerated electron separation, transport and recombination. This review will focus on anodic TiO 2 nanotubes (NTs) for the enhancement of photon conversion or light harvesting when incorporated in sensitized solar cells, which is valuable for increased photocurrent densities and solar cell efficiencies. By modulating the electrochemical processes which have a great impact on TiO 2 NT geometry, excellent optical properties can be achieved, resulting in the enhanced absorption of incident light and reduced light loss via reflection, penetration or transformation. The results indicate that the control of structures and morphologies of TiO 2 NTs is critical to the optimization of their applications in sensitized solar cells.

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Section: Single-step Synthesis Of Double-layered Nts With Pcsmentioning

confidence: 99%

TiO2 nanotube structures for the enhancement of photon utilization in sensitized solar cells

Lin¹,

Liu

Zhu

et al. 2015

Nanotechnology Reviews

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“…Particularly, anodic titanium oxide has attracted considerable interest since its unique properties make it useful for various functional applications, ranging from non-silicon solar cells [2][3][4] and photocatalysis 5 to energy storage. 6,7 In general, the morphology and the structure of the ordered layer are strongly affected by the electrochemical conditions (anodization voltage, distance between the electrodes, temperature) and the electrolyte composition.…”

Section: Anodic Oxidationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wetting Behavior of Hierarchical Oxide Nanostructures: TiO₂Nanotubes from Anodic Oxidation Decorated with ZnO Nanostructures

Ottone

Lamberti

Fontana

et al. 2014

J. Electrochem. Soc.

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Titania nanotubes (TiO 2 NTs) of 5 μm in length and 100 nm in the external diameter are easily formed by anodic oxidation. They are used as hollow substrates to deposit different ZnO nanostructures, such as nanoparticles and nanowires by employing two different techniques, electrodeposition and hydrothermal growth, respectively. In this way highly nanostructured and hierarchical sample surfaces were obtained, showing high level of crystallinity of both TiO 2 anatase and ZnO wurtzite materials. In addition, the wetting behavior drastically changed from the hydrophilic TiO 2 NTs surface to almost superhydrophobic surfaces of the hierarchical samples, thanks to the decoration with ZnO nanostructures. These results open interesting possibilities to employ our hierarchical TiO 2 -ZnO nanostructured materials as self-cleaning, antireflective or anti-fogging surfaces. These hierarchical and composite nanostructures could be thus efficiently used in photocatalytic devices, which would also benefit from the combination of both metal oxides for improved performances and efficiencies. Anodic oxidation1 is the process of forming an oxide on a metal surface by applying an electric potential through a suitable electrolyte. The metals that can be anodized belong to the so-called valve-metals group (Al, Ti, Zr, Nb, W, Ta, . . . ) and different kinds of ordered nanostructured oxides can be obtained. Compared with other synthesis approaches, electrochemical anodization is a simple and convenient technique to fabricate uniform layers of vertically self-oriented nanostructures. It has been widely accepted that the formation of the pores in anodic metal oxides is based on two continuous processes: the oxide dissolution at the electrolyte/oxide interface and the oxidation of metal at the oxide/metal interface.Particularly, anodic titanium oxide has attracted considerable interest since its unique properties make it useful for various functional applications, ranging from non-silicon solar cells 2-4 and photocatalysis 5 to energy storage. 6,7 In general, the morphology and the structure of the ordered layer are strongly affected by the electrochemical conditions (anodization voltage, distance between the electrodes, temperature) and the electrolyte composition. It is possible to grow titania nanotubes (NTs) with length varying between 100 nm up to 1 mm with a good control on the wall thickness and external roughness.In the present paper we report on the anodic oxidation of a titanium foil to form 5 μm long titania NTs. In order to create a hierarchical structure and then to study the wetting properties, we decorate both their inner and outer surface with zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles of about 20 nm in diameter. In particular, by using two different growth techniques, it is possible to additionally enrich the planar surface of the TiO 2 NTs with either a network of ZnO nanowires using the hydrothermal approach, or with ZnO microparticles of about 150 nm using the electrodeposition method.ZnO is a n-type metal oxide semiconductor havi...

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“…Although some semiconductor photoanodes such as Fe 2 O 3 were reported to be able to absorb visible lights, their photocarrier utilization for oxidizing water is relatively low and their quantum efficiencies are usually lower than 10% at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) 7,8 . The architecture of vertically aligned nanotube arrays has shown considerate improvements to the quantum efficiencies of TiO 2 and Fe 2 O 3 photoanodes [9][10][11][12][13][14] , but the total conversion efficiency of visible lights is still not satisfactory. Therefore, it is highly desirable yet challenging to find an efficient photoanode semiconductor that is capable of using the abundant visible lights.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Aligned Fe2TiO5-containing nanotube arrays with low onset potential for visible-light water oxidation

et al. 2014

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There remains a pressing challenge in the efficient utilization of visible light in the photoelectrochemical applications of water splitting. Here, we design and fabricate pseudobrookite Fe 2 TiO 5 ultrathin layers grown on vertically aligned TiO 2 nanotube arrays that can enhance the conduction and utilization of photogenerated charge carriers. Our photoanodes are characterized by low onset potentials of B0.2 V, high photon-to-current efficiencies of 40-50% under 400-600 nm irradiation and total energy conversion efficiencies of B2.7%. The high performance of Fe 2 TiO 5 nanotube arrays can be attributed to the anisotropic charge carrier transportation and elongated charge carrier diffusion length (compared with those of conventional TiO 2 or Fe 2 O 3 photoanodes) based on electrochemical impedance analysis and first-principles calculations. The Fe 2 TiO 5 nanotube arrays may open up more opportunities in the design of efficient and low-cost photoanodes working in visible light for photoelectrochemical applications.

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Direct and Seamless Coupling of TiO₂ Nanotube Photonic Crystal to Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cell: A Single‐Step Approach

Cited by 148 publications

References 33 publications

TiO2 nanotube structures for the enhancement of photon utilization in sensitized solar cells

TiO2 nanotube structures for the enhancement of photon utilization in sensitized solar cells

Wetting Behavior of Hierarchical Oxide Nanostructures: TiO₂Nanotubes from Anodic Oxidation Decorated with ZnO Nanostructures

Aligned Fe2TiO5-containing nanotube arrays with low onset potential for visible-light water oxidation

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Direct and Seamless Coupling of TiO2 Nanotube Photonic Crystal to Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cell: A Single‐Step Approach

Cited by 148 publications

References 33 publications

TiO2 nanotube structures for the enhancement of photon utilization in sensitized solar cells

TiO2 nanotube structures for the enhancement of photon utilization in sensitized solar cells

Wetting Behavior of Hierarchical Oxide Nanostructures: TiO2Nanotubes from Anodic Oxidation Decorated with ZnO Nanostructures

Aligned Fe2TiO5-containing nanotube arrays with low onset potential for visible-light water oxidation

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Direct and Seamless Coupling of TiO₂ Nanotube Photonic Crystal to Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cell: A Single‐Step Approach

Wetting Behavior of Hierarchical Oxide Nanostructures: TiO₂Nanotubes from Anodic Oxidation Decorated with ZnO Nanostructures