Low-temperature chemical synthesis of rutile and anatase mixed phase TiO2 nanostructures for DSSCs photoanodes

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2017-05, Vol.704, p.187-192
• Main Authors: Tehare, Kailas K., Bhande, Sambhaji S., Mutkule, Sandesh U., Stadler, Florian J., Ao, Jin-Ping, Mane, Rajaram S., Liu, Xinke
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Charge collection efficiency; Dye-sensitized solar cells; Rutile and anatase
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2017.01.358

Wet chemical deposition method by using copper salt doping approach is used to synthesize mixed phase (rutile and anatase) titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanostructures. Pristine and Cu-doped TiO2 photoanodes are analyzed for their physical properties. The results showed a significant influence of Cu-salt concentration in tuning the TiO2 properties in terms of structural, morphological, porosity, optical and electrochemical properties. The Cu-free TiO2 photoanode is rutile in structure whereas when Cu-doping level is increased, beyond 0.003 M, is transformed to mixed rutile-anatase structure. Presence of copper (Cu) in different weight percentages was confirmed from the surface energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Effect of Cu-doping on the power conversion efficiency of TiO2-based dye-sensitized solar cells is investigated. At 0.005 M Cu-doping level, both power conversion and incident-photon-to-current-conversion efficiencies of TiO2 electrode are optimal i.e. 3.32% and 46% respectively; consistent to electron life time measurement where with increase in Cu-doping level from 0.001 to 0.005 M an electron life time of TiO2 photoanode is increased from 0.1893 ms to 0.5967 ms. [Display omitted] •Intentionally insertion of copper salt at different proportions in TiO2.•beyond 0.003 M Cu-doping rutile phase changed to mixed phase of TiO2.•At 0.005 M Cu-doping optimum efficiency (3.32%) and IPCE (46%).