Influence of difference quantity La-doped TiO2 photoanodes on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells: A strategy for choosing an appropriate doping quantity

• Published in: Journal of solid state chemistry 2016-05, Vol.237, p.242-247
• Main Authors: Zhang, Zige, Li, Guoxiang, Cui, Zijian, Zhang, Kaiyue, Feng, Yaqing, Meng, Shuxian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: DSSCs; Lanthanum; Photoelectrodes; TiO2
• ISSN: 0022-4596; 1095-726X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jssc.2016.02.005

Facilitated by TiO2 particles adsorbing lanthanide ions in hydrosol, La-doped TiO2 was produced by a hydrothermal method. The structure, optical and photoluminescence properties of down-converting photoelectrode with the La3+ were characterized by X-ray (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray detector (EDX) and N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms measurement. The photoelectric conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) fabricated with 0.05g-La/TiO2 reached 7.02%, which gave an efficiency improved by 10.36% compared with that of cells fabricated from pure TiO2. The improvement in efficiency was ascribed to more dyes adsorbed on the surface of TiO2. (a) J–V curves of La-doped photoelectrodes with different La(NO3)3·6H2O amounts; (b) the curves of efficiency changing with the amount of La(NO3)3·6H2O. The photoelectric conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) fabricated with 0.05g-La/TiO2 reached 7.02%, which gave an efficiency improved by 10.36% compared with that of cells fabricated from pure TiO2. [Display omitted]