Effect of highly ordered single-crystalline TiO2 nanowire length on the photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2011 Nov;3(11):4349-53. doi: 10.1021/am201001t. Epub 2011 Oct 13.

Abstract

One-dimensional semiconductor nanostructures grown directly onto transparent conducting oxide substrates with a high internal surface area are most desirable for high-efficiency dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Herein, we present a multicycle hydrothermal synthesis process to produce vertically aligned, single crystal rutile TiO(2) nanowires with different lengths between 1 and 8 μm for application as the working electrode in DSSCs. Optimum performance was obtained with a TiO(2) nanowire length of 2.0 μm, which may be ascribed to a smaller nanowire diameter with a high internal surface area and better optical transmittance with an increase in the incident light intensity on the N719 dye; as well as a firm connection at the FTO/TiO(2) nanowire interface.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't