CTAB facilitated spherical rutile TiO sub(2) particles and their advantage in a dye-sensitized solar cell

Spherical rutile TiO sub(2) particles (14-20 nm) and their corresponding well-defined round clusters (500-600 nm) were obtained by using a cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The surfactant was employed in two stages, i.e., in the hydrolysis of TiCl sub(4) and then in the prec...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Solar energy 2008-01, Vol.82 (11), p.1042-1048
Main Authors: Lee, D-U, Jang, S-R, Vittal, R, Lee, J, Kim, K-J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Indexing in process
Q1
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Summary:Spherical rutile TiO sub(2) particles (14-20 nm) and their corresponding well-defined round clusters (500-600 nm) were obtained by using a cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The surfactant was employed in two stages, i.e., in the hydrolysis of TiCl sub(4) and then in the precipitation of the corresponding Ti(IV) polymers at approximately 46 degree C. On the other hand, without CTAB in the hydrolyzing solution, irregular clusters consisting of typical ellipsoidal TiO sub(2) particles were produced. The advantage of such spherical rutile TiO sub(2) particles and clusters was examined in terms of photovoltaic characteristics of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Significantly higher overall solar energy conversion efficiency was obtained for a DSSC using the film of these spherical rutile TiO sub(2) particles, compared with that of a cell using a TiO sub(2) film of ellipsoidal particles. A mechanism for the formation of these spherical rutile particles and clusters is proposed.
ISSN:0038-092X
DOI:10.1016/j.solener.2008.04.006