Hydrothermal synthesis of rutile–anatase TiO2 nanobranched arrays for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

•The unique rutile–anatase TiO2 nanobranched arrays have been synthesized for DSSC application.•TiO2 nano-structure consists of anatase nanobranches covering of rutile nanorod surfaces.•The successful attachment of anatase TiO2 nanobranches to the nanorods is achieved by TiCl4 treatment. Rutile–anat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied surface science 2014-11, Vol.320, p.487-493
Main Authors: Kwon, Soon Jin, Im, Hyo Been, Nam, Jung Eun, Kang, Jin Kyu, Hwang, Taek Sung, Yi, Kwang Bok
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arrays
Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties
Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties
Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science
rheology
Dye-sensitized solar cells
Dyes
Exact sciences and technology
Hydrothermal synthesis
Nanorods
Nanostructure
Photovoltaic cells
Physics
Rutile
Rutile–anatase TiO2 nanobranched arrays
Solar cells
TiCl4 treatment
Titanium dioxide
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Summary:•The unique rutile–anatase TiO2 nanobranched arrays have been synthesized for DSSC application.•TiO2 nano-structure consists of anatase nanobranches covering of rutile nanorod surfaces.•The successful attachment of anatase TiO2 nanobranches to the nanorods is achieved by TiCl4 treatment. Rutile–anatase TiO2 nanobranched arrays were prepared in two sequential hydrothermal-synthesis steps. The morphologies and crystalline nanostructures of the samples were investigated by controlling growth time and the concentration of the titanium precursor. All samples were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. It was found that treating the surfaces of rutile TiO2 nanorods with aqueous TiCl4 solutions allows the anatase TiO2 nanobranches to grow perpendicular to the main rutile TiO2 nanorods attached to the FTO glass. Irregularly shaped, dense TiO2 structures formed in the absence of TiCl4 treatment. A light-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 3.45% was achieved using 2.3μm tall TiO2 nanobranched arrays in a dye-sensitized solar cell. This value is significantly higher than that observed for pure rutile TiO2 nanorods.
ISSN:0169-4332
1873-5584
DOI:10.1016/j.apsusc.2014.09.110