Multi-step hydrothermally synthesized TiO2 nanoforests and its application to dye-sensitized solar cells

• Published in: Materials chemistry and physics Vol. 135; no. 2-3; pp. 723 - 727
• Main Authors: Lin, Chih-Min, Chang, Yun-Ching, Yao, Jimmy, Wang, Chao, Luo, Claire, Yin, Stuart (Shizhuo)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.08.2012
• Subjects: Dye-sensitized solar cell; Hydrothermal synthesizing process; Three-dimensional (3-D); Titanium dioxide nanoforest; Dye-sensitized solar cell; Titanium dioxide nanoforest; Three-dimensional (3-D); Hydrothermal synthesizing process
• ISSN: 0254-0584; 1879-3312
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2012.05.050

Three-dimensional (3-D) titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoforests with a large surface area and a high electron transport property have been successfully synthesized on transparent conducting oxide (TCO) substrate by using a unique multi-step hydrothermal synthesizing process. First, TiO2 nanorods with well-controlled density and length are grown on TCO glass substrate.TiO2 nanowires are then synthesized on TiO2 nanorods with another hydrothermal process. In comparison with previously reported one-dimensional (1-D) TiO2 nanorod arrays, TiO2 nanoforests offer a larger surface area for the same height, which is beneficial for achieving higher efficiency dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The experimental results confirm that a conversion efficiency of 3.93% can be achieved with a 5.1 μm long TiO2 nanoforest based DSSC under AM1.5 illumination. [Display omitted] ► Synthesize large surface area TiO2 nanoforests (TNF) by multi-step hydrothermal process. ► TNF consists of trunks (nanorods) and branches (nanowires). ► TNF offer both large surface area and high carrier transportation rate. ► Enable a high efficiency dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). ► 3.93% conversion efficiency with a 5.1 micron high nanoforest.