Effect of TiO2 particle and pore size on DSSC efficiency

• Main Authors: V. A. González-Verjan, B. Trujillo-Navarrete, Rosa María Félix-Navarro, J. N. Díaz de León, J. M. Romo-Herrera, J. C. Calva-Yáñez, J. M. Hernández-Lizalde, E. A. Reynoso-Soto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SpringerOpen 2020-06-01
• Series: Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy
• Subjects: DSSC; Titanium; Mesoporous; Anatase; Nanoparticles
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40243-020-00173-7

Abstract In this work, we report the preparation of TiO2 nanoparticles with a high surface area, from 120 to 168 m2 g−1 by the hydrothermal-microemulsion route and hydrothermal temperature effect over particle size, porosity, and photovoltaic parameter. The TiO2 samples were characterized by Raman, BET, TEM, SEM-FE, I–V curves, and EIS. The increase of hydrothermal temperature correlates with particle and pore size. Although when the synthesis temperature was 250 °C, the surface area presents an unexpected decrease of c.a. 28%. TiO2 samples were employed as thin-film photo-anodes for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) solar cells. Photovoltaic results showed that the sample prepared at 250 °C presented the more suitable textural properties for the DSSC application. The prepared TiO2 materials with a particle size of 6.93 ± 0.59 nm and anatase crystalline phase favor electron transport and diffusion of electrolyte species, which directly impact in solar cell efficiency.