TiO₂ SUB-MICROSPHERES AS A BI-FUNCTIONAL SCATTERING LAYER FOR HIGH-PERFORMANCE DYE-SENSITIZED SOLAR CELLS

Abstract

The sub-microspheres play multiple roles in enhancing dye adsorption and light-scattering to improve the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this work, the well-de¯ned TiO 2 sub-microspheres with anatase granular-like nanocrystals are prepared in high yield by combining hydrolytic process with solvothermal treatment. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results indicated that plenty of rhombic nanoparticles with $ 18 nm diameter having mutual contacts to neighboring nanoparticles were densely selfassembled into sub-microspheres, and abundant mesopores existed in the whole sub-microspheres with superior light scattering ability. The appropriate pore diameter and relatively high speci¯c surface area of the as-obtained sub-microsphere result in a higher dye adsorption. As expected, by using the sub-microspheres as a scattering layer, a higher photovoltaic conversion e±ciency of 10.15% is obtained for DSSCs.

High-efficiency and stable quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell based on low molecular mass organogelator electrolyte

“…As can be seen, the beads were microspheric particles with a diameter around 800 nm. According to previous reports, 25,30,31 the TiO 2 sub-microspheres have dual functions of a high surface area for dye loading and a rough surface for light multi-scattering, as shown in Fig. 1 (b).…”

“…TiO 2 sub-microspheres were synthesized by a two-step process: hydrolysis and subsequent solvothermal treatment as described in the previous literature. 25…”

TiO2 Sub-microsphere Film as Scaffold Layer for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells

“…The TiO 2 sub-microspheres were synthesized according to a facile and reproducible method reported previously . The average diameter of the sub-microspheres is 250 nm.…”

“…TiO 2 sub-microspheres were synthesized by a two-step process . First, titanium isopropoxide (60 mL, 97%, Sigma-Aldrich) was added into ethanol solution (2000 mL) containing deionized water (7.5 mL) and KI solution (7.5 mL, 0.1 M) under vigorous stirring at room temperature.…”

Mesoporous TiO2 Yolk-Shell Microspheres for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells with a High Efficiency Exceeding 11%

“…Owing to the large micrometer size of the as-obtained YS-TiO 2 microspheres, some light might be back scattered at the FTO-TiO 2 interface, therefore this part of light usually cannot be utilized by the dye to generate electrons 28 30 . Additionally, the connectivity with FTO surface and recombination of generated electrons can greatly influence the performance of a DSSC 31 32 . Therefore, in this study, a DSL-18 nanoparticles underlayer and TiCl 4 post-treatment were employed to improve the performance of YS-TiO 2 based DSSC 27 28 33 34 , as a result, giving J sc a high value of 18.84 mA cm −2 , and consequently resulting in a PCE value up to 11.03% ( Fig.…”