High Specific Surface Area Nanosheets Ti02 Electrode for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

In this study, high specific surface area nanosheets Ti02 with mesoporous structure were synthesized by hydrothermal method at 130 degree celsius for 12 h. The nanosheets structure were slightly curved and approximately 50-100 nm in width and several nanometers in thickness. The as-synthesized nanosheets Ti02 had average pore diameter about 3-4 nm. The BET surface area and pore volume of the sample were about 642 m2/g and 0.774 cm3/g, respecti vely. The solar energy conversion efficiency (Ƞ) of the cell using the nanosheets Ti02 was about 7.08% with Jsc of 16.35 mA/ cm2, Voc of 0.703 V and FF of 0.627; while Ƞ of the cell using commercial nanopanicles Ti02 (P-25) reached 5.82% with Jsc of 1 2.74 mA/cm2, Voc of 0.704V and FF of 0.649. Using one­dimensional (1D) nanostructured Ti02 composite concept could improved the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (Ƞ =8.1-10.3%). From the results clearly showed that the high surface area nanosheets Ti02 (prepared by this method) was the promising candidate to serve as a material in dye-sensitized solar cell.