Mesoporous Titania-Vertical Nanorod Films With Interfacial Engineering For High Performance Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

• Main Authors: Irfan, Ahmed, Fakharuddin, Azhar, Qamar, Wali, Ayib Rosdi, Zainun, Jamil, Ismail, Rajan, Jose
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: IOP Publishing Ltd 2015
• Subjects: QC Physics; QD Chemistry; T Technology (General); TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering
• Online Access: http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/8604/1/fist-2015-rajan-Mesoporous%20Titania-Vertical-abs.pdf; http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/8604/; http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0957-4484/26/10/105401
• Institution: Universiti Malaysia Pahang

Working electrode (WE) fabrication offers significant challenges in terms of achieving high-efficiency dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). We have combined the beneficial effects of vertical nanorods grown on conducting glass substrate for charge transport and mesoporous particles for dye loading and have achieved a high photoconversion efficiency of (η) > 11% with an internal quantum efficiency of ~93% in electrode films of thickness ~7 ± 0.5 μm. Controlling the interface between the vertical nanorods and the mesoporous film is a crucial step in attaining high η. We identify three parameters, viz., large surface area of nanoparticles, increased light scattering of the nanorod�nanoparticle layer, and superior charge transport of nanorods, that simultaneously contribute to the improved photovoltaic performance of the WE developed.