TUNABLE TIO^sub 2^ NANOTUBE ARRAYS FOR FLEXIBLE BIO-SENSITIZED SOLAR CELLS

• Published in: Nanotechnology Research Journal Vol. 6; no. 1; p. 83
• Main Authors: Martin, Joshua J, Griep, Mark H, Giri, Anit, Hirsch, Samuel G, Rodriguez-Santiago, Victor, Bujanda, Andres A, McCauley, James E, Karna, Shashi P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hauppauge Nova Science Publishers, Inc 01.01.2013
• Subjects: Dyes; Efficiency; Electrodes; Electrolytes; Fluorides; Studies

Highly ordered, free-standing titanium dioxide nanotube (TiNT) arrays have been of intense interest to the alternative energies field in recent years due to their barrier-free electron conduction pathway vs. TiO^sub 2^ nanoparticles in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) designs. TiNT arrays prepared by electrochemical anodization of Ti foils and combined with a transparent, Indium Tin Dioxide coated PET film are attractive candidates for efficient, flexible DSSC's. Flexible solar cells offer great benefits because of the potential for low-cost, roll-to-roll production and the increase in applications due to superior robustness. This approach utilizes a two-step anodization procedure coupled with implementation of a rapid inert gas dehydration and ultrasonic agitation detachment method. By controlling the reaction conditions during anodization, TiNT arrays with specific morphology, lengths, and diameters can be tailored to satisfy a particular application such as incorporating specialized protein dyes-in particular, bacteriorhodopsin. The free-standing arrays comprised of hexagonally closed-packed and regularly ordered TiNT membranes have been synthesized and detached from the original Ti substrate.