Formation of chelating agent driven anodized TiO2 nanotubular membrane and its photovoltaic application

Titania (TiO2) nanotubular arrays provide an exciting material for dye sensitizing solar cells (DSSC) because of their large surface area, lower recombination losses, and fast charge transport properties along the nanotubes. In this paper, design of a next generation DSSC using a TiO2 nanotubular me...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nanotechnology 2010-04, Vol.21 (14), p.145201-145201
Main Authors: Banerjee, Subarna, Misra, Mano, Mohapatra, Susanta K, Howard, Cameron, Mohapatra, Srikanta K, Kamilla, Sushanta K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anodizing
Excitation
Membranes
Nanocomposites
Nanomaterials
Nanostructure
Photovoltaic cells
Solar cells
Titanium dioxide
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Summary:Titania (TiO2) nanotubular arrays provide an exciting material for dye sensitizing solar cells (DSSC) because of their large surface area, lower recombination losses, and fast charge transport properties along the nanotubes. In this paper, design of a next generation DSSC using a TiO2 nanotubular membrane is discussed. A single step, green process is developed to produce stable large area, free-standing TiO2 nanotubular films (in a short time, 30--60 min) by anodizing Ti using an organic electrolyte, containing disodium salt of ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid (Na2[H2EDTA]) as complexing agent, and subsequent drying. Transparent, crack-free TiO2 films, 20--41 mu m thick containing ordered hexagonal TiO2 nanotubes are achieved by this process. Films having a geometrical area up to 16.5 cm2 with pore openings of 182 nm have been obtained. These films have been etched to form membranes which provide an exciting prospect for front side illuminated DSSC with good mass and photon transport properties as well as wettability. A photovoltaic efficiency of 2.7% is achieved using a front side illuminated DSSC compared to 1.77% using back side illumination.
ISSN:0957-4484
1361-6528
DOI:10.1088/0957-4484/21/14/145201