Effect of TiO sub(2) nanotube length and lateral tubular spacing on photovoltaic properties of back illuminated dye sensitized solar cell

• Published in: Bulletin of materials science 2012-09, Vol.35 (4), p.489-493
• Main Authors: Nair, Shantikumar V, Balakrishnan, A, Subramanian, K R V, Anu, A M, Asha, A M, Deepika, B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anodizing; Arrays; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterials; Nanostructure; Photovoltaic cells; Solar cells; Titanium dioxide
• ISSN: 0250-4707; 0973-7669
• DOI: 10.1007/s12034-012-0323-5

The main objective of this study is to show the effect of TiO sub(2) nanotube length, diameter and intertubular lateral spacings on the performance of back illuminated dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The present study shows that processing short TiO sub(2) nanotubes with good lateral spacings could significantly improve the performance of back illuminated DSSCs. Vertically aligned, uniform sized diameter TiO sub(2) nanotube arrays of different tube lengths have been fabricated on Ti plates by a controlled anodization technique at different times of 24, 36, 48 and 72 h using ethylene glycol and ammonium fluoride as an electrolyte medium. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed formation of nanotube arrays spread uniformly over a large area. X-ray diffraction (XRD) of TiO sub(2) nanotube layer revealed the presence of crystalline anatase phases. By employing the TiO sub(2) nanotube array anodized at 24 h showing a diameter 80 nm and length 1.5 mu m as the photo-anode for back illuminated DSSCs, a full-sun conversion efficiency ( eta ) of 3.5 % was achieved, the highest value reported for this length of nanotubes.