Mesoporous TiO{sub}2 Thin-Film for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) Application

摘要

This paper presents the synthesis of a mesoporous thin-film of TiO{sub}2 for its application in DSSC devices using a sol-gel method. In this, a sol-solution containing a non-ionic surfactant, Ti-alkoxide precursor, and acetic acid as a catalyst was spin-coated on conductive glass substrates. Removal of the surfactant template was accomplished by solvent leaching followed by calcination at 400-450°C. The X-ray diffraction analysis of the films indicated presence of the cubic anatase phase and TEM images showed mesopores in the range of 4-8 nm. The surface roughness of the films was about 3-4 nm over an area of 600 × 600 nm{sup}2. In another synthesis method, we are investigating deposition of TiO{sub}2 film by infusion and selective condensation of Ti-precursor in surfactant films by the supercritical CO{sub}2. For these films, less dye aggregation, higher surface coverage, and effective energy conversion are expected.