Application of Three-Dimensionally Ordered Mesoporous TiO2 Particles as Dual-function Scatterers in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

Mesoporous TiO2 particles have been extensively used as scattering particles in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), because of their high scattering properties and additional carrier derived from their high surface area. However, the latter effect was not fully utilized, since generated additional carriers cannot be efficiently collected. Hence, for the efficient DSSCs, utilizing their high surface area was remained as a key issue. Herein, we synthesized three-dimensionally ordered mesoporous (3DOm) TiO2 particles and put them into the photoanode as scatterers for DSSCs. These scattering particles were embedded in the photoanode, to utilize their specific morphology. The synthesized 3DOm TiO2 particles increased total surface area and dye uptake of the photoanode without losing cells’ scattering properties. These effects were clearly reflected on the photovoltaic parameters in DSSCs, as a gradual increase of current density with respect to the 3DOm TiO2 particles ratio. As a consequence, we demonstrated scattering particle design and appropriate cell configuration for efficient DSSCs, with 11% enhancement in the conversion efficiency. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd.