Titanium Dioxide Modifications for Energy Conversion: Learnings from Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

During the last two and half decade modifying anatase TiO 2 has appreciably enhanced our understanding and application of this semiconducting, non-toxic material. In the domain of DSCs, the main focus has been to achieve band adjustment to facilitate electron injection from anchored dyes, and high electronic mobility for photo-generated electron collection. In retrospection, there is a dire need to assimilate and summarize the findings of these studies to further catalyze the research, better understanding and comparison of the structure-property relationships in modifying TiO 2 efficiently for crucial photocatalytic, electrochemical and nanostructured applications. This chapter aims at categorizing the typical approaches used to modify TiO 2 in the domain of DSCs such as through TiO 2 paste additives, TiO 2 doping, metal oxides inclusion, dye solution co-adsorbing additives, post staining surface treatment additives and electrolyte additives. A summary of the consequences of these modifications on electron injection, charge extraction, electronic mobility, conduction band shift and surface states has been presented. This chapter is expected to hugely benefit the researchers employing TiO 2 in energy, catalysis and battery applications.

Enhanced performance by heteroatom‐doped reduced grapheneoxide‐TiO2‐based nanocomposites as photoanodes in dye‐sensitised solar cells

“…Although most photogenerated electrons from the dye molecule excited state rapidly move to the TiO 2 conduction band after irradiation, the electrons move back to recombine with the oxidised dye molecules and the electrolyte. This increases the dark current and charge recombination, mainly in the electrolyte, and subsequently causes a decrease in the PCE 73 . The eosin B‐based DSSCs displayed a better PCE than the Sudan II‐based DSSCs, which was attributed to the higher photogenerated electron transport rate.…”

“…This increases the dark current and charge recombination, mainly in the electrolyte, and subsequently causes a decrease in the PCE. 73 The eosin B-based DSSCs displayed a better PCE than the Sudan II-based DSSCs, which was attributed to the higher photogenerated electron transport rate. Thus, eosin B was then chosen and further used with the nanocomposite-based photoanodes.…”

Comparison of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts in dye-sensitised photoelectrochemical cells for alcohol oxidation coupled to dihydrogen formation

“…(Fig. S14 † ); 64 after that, a scattering layer of TiO 2 (particle size > 100 nm, Solaronix Ti-Nanoxide R/SP) was added onto the plate giving the thickness of the layer after annealing (6.4 μm, Fig. S14 † ).…”

Optimizing the Aspect Ratio of Nanopatterned Mesoporous TiO2 Thin-Film Layer to Improve Energy Conversion Efficiency of Perovskite Solar Cells

“…The mp-TiO 2 facilitates the transport of the electrons and the absorption of light [32,33]. In terms of ECE, mp-TiO 2 was used to minimize recombination losses by reducing the interface defects between the perovskite and the FTO substrate [34]. Consecutively, a mp-TiO 2 thin-film layer has been commonly used as an ETL in perovskite solar cells owing to its higher uniformity and well-developed structure [24,[35][36][37].…”